Parra News July 27 2021

LOCAL NEWS
Blood donors needed
Vaccine jabs aren’t the only thing we need to roll up our sleeves for
NICOLA BARTON
The community is urged to continue
rolling up their sleeves to donate
blood, after spiralling cancellations
due to the current COVID-19 situation.
With stay home restrictions in place, it is
important to remember blood and plasma
donation remains vital and is one of the
‘essential’ reasons you are allowed to leave
the house.
Lifeblood spokesperson Cath Stone said
during the pandemic last year Australians
responded strongly to Lifeblood’s appeals
for blood donors, but now only one in
every two appointments is being kept,
with a third cancelled or rescheduled on
the day.
“Annual demand for blood is at its highest
level in over a decade, with hospitals
now using four per cent more blood than
they did compared to the last two years,”
she said.
“There is no substitute for blood and we
need every type, every day, to meet the
needs of Australian patients who depend
on it.
“If you do need to cancel or reschedule,
please contact Lifeblood as early as possible
so we can find someone to take your
place.”
In addition to already strong eligibility
and hygiene protocols, Lifeblood have
implemented a wide range of additional
safety measures including masks for staff
and donors, postponements for people
who have tested positive to COVID-19,
temperature checks, increased cleaning,
providing hand sanitiser, restricting nondonating
visitors and implementing social
distancing wherever possible.
“Lockdowns don’t stop the need for
blood, there are patients in hospitals who
need blood and are relying on people to
donate,” Lifeblood spokesperson Jennifer
Campbell Case said.
“Our donor centres are open and safe.”
Carlingford resident and Greens Candidate
for City of Parramatta Council’s
North Rocks Ward Greg Edwards recently
visited the Parramatta Donor Centre and
said staff are experiencing cancellations.
“I’m a regular blood donor and made my
usual booking and even though we are in
a lockdown situation I was accepted,” he
said.
Greg Edwards is encouraging locals to keep their blood donor appointments.
“They did say that many have cancelled
but the need is still the same. The Donor
Centre has made some changes by spacing
out bookings, so only a few can donate at
a time.
“This lockdown is getting more serious
by the week, making our blood donor
centres more essential than ever.”
To book a donation please call 13 14 95, or
visit lifeblood.com.au.
Check your eligibility here: donateblood.
com.au/eligibility.
parra news » Tuesday, July 27, 2021
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