Multiple Australian Red Cross Lifeblood centres in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales were closed as the cyclone neared the coast last week, drastically reducing blood stock.
Now, Lifeblood needs another 6000 people to donate blood by the end of this week to replenish its life-saving donation supplies.
Acting chief executive Stuart Chesneau said Lifeblood desperately needs to restock its platelets, which are made from blood donations and only have a shelf-life of five days after being tested.
“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,” Chesneau said.
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“They are used to help people undergoing chemotherapy or to stop bleeding during surgery or after a major trauma.”
Lifeblood cancelled 3500 blood donation appointments after 22 donor centres shut doors over four days last week.
Another 330 appointments needed to be cancelled yesterday, too.
Chesneau called on first-time donors to roll up their sleeves and help end 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,” Chesneau added.
“We’re asking anyone who may be eligible to donate to book an appointment now, and we also need new donors to step up.
“Our regular donors have seen us through the Christmas and New Year period, and many won’t be eligible to donate blood for a while.
“New donors will be needed to see us through the coming weeks.”
Around 4000 bags of blood are required by hospitals every day to help patients undergoing major surgery or cancer treatment, people suffering trauma or mothers giving birth.
Most donor centres in Queensland have re-opened following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s departure.
As flooding remains an ongoing threat, Lifeblood expected donations won’t return to normal levels for some time.
Donors have been asked to contact their local blood centre or book an appointment online.