CITY of Stirling residents are being encouraged to donate blood this Christmas to the Perth Blood Donor Centre.
More than 470 people are needed as donator numbers have dropped to a worrying low.
Only five people have booked in on Boxing Day, with 470 empty appointments between December 19 and January 2 in Perth.
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READ NOWAustralian Blood Donor Centre spokeswoman Jessica Willet said many more people were needed to roll up their sleeves.
“Thousands of Australian patients will need blood this Christmas and New Year just to have the hope of spending those moments with friends and family,” she said.
“Cancer patients are the biggest users of donated blood and rely on platelets to make it through chemotherapy.
“The problem is platelets cannot be stock-piled, so we need a constant, fresh supply as anything collected before Christmas Eve will have expired or run-out long before New Year’s Eve.”
Blood donor Yvonne Carter this month donated blood for the 25th time after she started donating eight years ago.
“My mother was rushed by ambulance, sirens blazing, and had a very nasty bleeding ulcer and she needed a transfusion,” she said.
“I thought that was ironic; two days beforehand I’d donated for the first time.
“You never go when you’ve got a relative or friend in need of the blood; you’re always helping someone’s family member.”
To make an appointment call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au.
Perth Blood Donor Centre
Extra blood donors needed: 470
When: December 19 to January 2
Christmas opening hours: Monday to Friday, including Boxing Day, December 27 and 2 January 2
Worst day: Boxing Day, only five donors booked to donate