The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an urgent plea for blood donations following a sharp decline in supplies in the wake of Cyclone Alfred. The organisation is calling for an additional 6,000 donors this week to help replenish stocks, with 1,500 needed in Queensland alone.
A combination of donor centre closures and increased hospital demand before the cyclone hit has significantly reduced available blood supplies. Lifeblood spokesperson Belinda Smetioukh emphasised the need for immediate action, particularly to restore platelet stocks, which have a short shelf life of just five days after testing.
“We pre-emptively sent extra supplies of blood products, including platelets, to hospitals in the impacted region ahead of Alfred landing, but many of those platelets are now close to expiring,” Smetioukh said.
“They are used to help people undergoing chemotherapy or to stop bleeding during surgery or after a major trauma.”
Severe Disruptions to Blood Donations
The cyclone’s impact forced Lifeblood to cancel 3,500 donation appointments as 22 donor centres across Queensland and northern New South Wales shut down between Thursday and Sunday. A further 330 appointments had to be cancelled on Monday, compounding the shortfall.
“Between the shortfall in donations, combined with the pre-emptive drain on our blood stocks, it means we now urgently need to replenish blood supplies right across the country,” Smetioukh explained.
She urged both existing and new donors to come forward, as many regular donors who supported Lifeblood through the Christmas and New Year period are not yet eligible to donate again.
“If you’ve been waiting to find a reason to become a donor or have been thinking about coming back to donate, this is the time to act,” she said.
Nationwide Appeal to Boost Blood Donations
Every day, Australian hospitals require nearly 4,000 bags of blood to treat patients in need, including those undergoing major surgery, cancer treatment, and emergency trauma care.
Although most donor centres in Queensland have now reopened, some roads remain inaccessible, and many donors are still cut off. As a result, blood collections in the state are expected to take time to return to normal.
“Understandably, many donors will be unable to get to their appointments as they focus on their families and homes in the coming days and weeks,” Smetioukh said.
To compensate for the shortfall, Lifeblood has opened additional appointments in other states, encouraging donors nationwide to step up.
Australians willing to donate can book an appointment by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au, or using the Donate Blood App.
