Blood Bank really needs you

It is not unusual for blood stocks to fall during the winter months, sometimes by as much as 10 per cent, but according to a spokesperson for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service 21,000 donations are needed each and every week of the year.

In fact, according to the local Donor Centre Manager Lyn Lindley and Marketing Coordinator Stephanie Kennedy, more than 85,000 new donors are still needed in what’s left of 2009 alone.

While blood has been collected for 80 years or so, The Australian Red Cross Blood Service only came into operation in 1996 and is now a large professional organisation with more than 3000 employees.

Lyn says there is one in three Australians who regularly give their time and their blood as a gift or donation to help the one in three people who need it.

When someone attends a donor outlet and passes the basic tests his or her blood is taken, processed and is available for use between 24 and 48 hours after collection.

A single unit of blood taken during a whole donation is about 470ml, less than half a litre, and your normal bodily functions quickly replace this amount.

There are three different types of collection, whole blood (which can be given every 12 weeks), plasma (every two weeks), and platelets.

Platelets are literally tiny plates that wedge together covering tears in the blood vessels and preventing blood from leaking into the surrounding tissue, and the primary use of platelets is in the treatment of people with various cancers and other diseases such as leukaemia.

Plasma is regarded as the most versatile component of blood as it can be processed into a variety of products and each product can be used to treat a number of potentially life–threatening conditions.

The records show that to date the most plasma donations made by one person is 938.

And new blood donors can commence donations up to their 71st birthday, and at age 81 all blood donors have to retire.

The minimum age people can give blood is 16.

Schools, companies help out  

Stephanie says that most local schools encourage blood donations and students are even given time off during normal school days to attend the centre.

In fact, the local schools compete for the Vampire Shield, which goes to the most supportive school during any year.

Local corporations and businesses also assist in a system known as Club Red, while the University of Wollongong is another good supporter.

The local service moved to its present site immediately adjacent to Wollongong Hospital – corner of Darling and Loftus Streets – in 1992 and employs 35 people.

Its mobile unit also travels as far south as Ulladulla and up into the Southern Highlands and as far north as Thirroul.

The Blood Donor Centre is open Tuesdays from 12pm to 8pm, Wednesdays from 7am to 8pm, Thursdays from 7am to 6pm and Fridays from 7am to 3.30pm. You can also give blood on some Saturdays.

For further information or to make an appointment : Phone 13 14 95.