When hospitals start removing blood supplies from emergency rooms and 1000 donor chairs sit empty every day, you know the situation is serious.
That's exactly what's happening across Australia right now, as the nation faces its most severe blood shortage in five years.
A record surge in demand between June and August, combined with the highest rate of cancellations since the pandemic, has pushed supplies to the brink. Lifeblood says it still needs another 6000 donors—or around 2800 litres of blood—just to stabilise stocks.
The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an urgent call for donations, sharing that up to 1,000 donor chairs remain unoccupied daily, the highest such figure in five years.
After calling for 12,500 donors nationally to book in for a blood donation appointment in the next week, the organisation warned that unless more people come forward immediately, hospitals may face shortages.
The situation has become so critical that Lifeblood says it needs 1,200 people donating every day in the coming week to meet the needs of patients.
The perfect storm that created this crisis
This isn't just a simple case of fewer people rolling up their sleeves. Three significant factors have converged to create what experts are calling a perfect storm for blood supplies.
This isn't just a simple case of fewer people rolling up their sleeves. Three significant factors have converged to create what experts are calling a perfect storm for blood supplies.
First, there's been record demand. Demand for blood and plasma continues to increase at record levels. Lifeblood confirmed this winter saw its highest ever demand, placing unprecedented strain on reserves.
More donations are needed than ever before, largely due to a growing and aging population. Almost 4,000 bags of blood are needed by hospitals every day across Australia to help patients in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment, pregnancy and for a range of other medical conditions.
Second, winter illnesses have decimated donation appointments. An average of one in every five blood donors has cancelled or rescheduled their donations due to cold and flu symptoms each week during winter. That translates to around 2000 donors a week cancelling or rescheduling, and it is expected to get worse in the coming weeks.
Third, there's been a seasonal drop in appointment bookings that typically happens during colder months, making the situation even more challenging.
'We're used to seeing a spike in cancellations and lower appointment bookings during the winter months due to cold, flu and Covid-19, but this winter hit particularly hard'
'At the same time, we experienced our highest ever winter demand for blood, which has significantly impacted Lifeblood supplies. We’re urging anyone who is eligible and feeling healthy and well to book a donation immediately and help restore our blood stocks,' Cornelissen added.
What this means for patients and hospitals
When blood supplies run dangerously low, the impacts ripple through the entire healthcare system. It may lead to longer hospital stays if elective procedures must be postponed in order to wait for an adequate blood supply.
During a blood shortage, hospital blood banks are often forced to remove blood from the emergency room and other remote storage locations — leaving trauma surgeons and anesthesiologists to consider the possibility that the hospital could run out of blood.
The reality is confronting: Because most transfusion prescriptions are for patients with relatively severe anemia, a blood shortage leaves doctors with no easy choices for withholding transfusion. Instead, they wrestle with a series of bad options — often facing the very real possibility that a patient could suffer due to a delayed transfusion.
During a blood shortage, they could easily be sent home from clinic without a transfusion — being told that the available blood instead needs to be reserved for other patients in the operating room or intensive care unit.
What blood shortages mean for different patients
Cancer patients may have chemotherapy treatments delayed
Expectant mothers face higher risks during complications
Trauma victims may not have adequate supplies for emergency surgery
Routine surgeries like hip replacements get postponed
Blood stored in emergency rooms gets relocated to central banks
The massive untapped potential—and why seniors matter more than ever
Here's the statistic that might surprise you most: while over 57 per cent of the adult population are eligible to donate, only about 3 per cent of Australians actually do so regularly. Fewer than 3 per cent of the population donate blood regularly, yet more than 58 per cent are eligible to donate. That means there are about 10 million more people who could donate today, but don't.
For many Australians over 60, there's particularly good news about donation eligibility that you might not be aware of. In July 2019, Australia removed the upper age limit for returning donors (previously 80 years) and increased the upper age for new donors from 70 to 75 years.
What this means practically: You can become a first-time blood, plasma or platelet donor any time up until your 76th birthday. Once you're 81 you must have donated in Australia in the last 5 years to remain eligible.
Age eligibility for blood donation
- New donors: Can start donating up to their 76th birthday
- Returning donors: No upper age limit (previously capped at 80)
- Over 81: Must have donated in Australia within the last 5 years
- Health assessment: Required before each donation regardless of age
Why plasma might be your best contribution
While the headlines focus on blood, there's another critical need that many people don't know about. Right now, Australia needs more plasma donations than all blood types combined.
It can be used in 18 different life-giving ways. Plasma can be used in many ways, such as to treat liver and kidney disease, to prevent and stop bleeding and the treatment of major burns.
The beauty of plasma donation is its flexibility. You can give a plasma donation every 2 weeks. That's much more frequent than whole blood donation, which is limited to every 12 weeks.
The types most urgently needed
While all blood types are needed, some are more critical than others right now. More than 80 per cent of the population has an O or A blood type, meaning these are the types most needed by patients.
O positive and O negative are the blood types most frequently ordered by hospitals and can both be used in emergency situations. O negative is considered a 'universal blood type' and is often stocked in ambulances and rescue helicopters so it can be used to treat patients when their blood type is unknown, such as in times of trauma when large quantities of blood is needed in a short amount of time. Fewer than seven per cent of the Australian population is O negative, making it one of the rarer blood types, however its versatility means it makes up 16 per cent of the blood ordered by hospitals.
Your hour could save three lives
The donation process itself is straightforward and much quicker than many people realise. Your whole appointment will take about an hour. A blood donation appointment takes about an hour, with the donation itself only lasting up to 10 minutes.
Every single donation has tremendous impact. Just one donation could save up to three lives. One blood donation can save up to 3 lives.
Here's what happens during your appointment:
- Health check including blood pressure and iron levels
- Brief consultation about medical history and current health
- The actual donation (about 10 minutes)
- Rest period with refreshments (15 minutes)
Did you know?
Did you know?
If you're recovering from cold or flu symptoms, you can donate seven days after complete recovery. Many people don't realise they can return to donating relatively quickly after winter illnesses.
Making the appointment
Ready to help fill those empty donor chairs? Make an appointment to donate this winter by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au or the Donate Blood app.
The urgency couldn't be clearer. To keep up with that demand, we need an extra 100,000 people to find their reason to make a blood donation in 2025. With winter winding down and fewer people calling in sick with respiratory symptoms, now is the perfect time to step up.
As one donor chair sits empty, someone somewhere is waiting for a transfusion that could change their life. Lifeblood wants blood donation to become a habit for many more Australians, and not just something people do when there is an urgent need.
The maths is simple but stark: with 10 million eligible Australians not donating regularly, the solution to this crisis lies in our collective willingness to spend an hour helping others. For many of us over 60, we have both the time and the eligibility to make a real difference.
Have you ever donated blood, or are you considering it now that you know the age limits have changed? What would motivate you to book that first appointment? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Original Article
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/h...20c04a1286018878edd949e964f41b?from=rss-basic
Australian Red Cross issues urgent plea as blood donations hit five-year low due to Winter illnesses—Glam Adelaide
Cited text: The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an urgent call for donations, sharing that up to 1,000 donor chairs remain unoccupied daily, the highest...
Excerpt: The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an urgent call for donations, sharing that up to 1,000 donor chairs remain unoccupied daily, the highest such figure in five years.
https://glamadelaide.com.au/austral...ns-hit-five-year-low-due-to-winter-illnesses/
Immediate Call for Blood Donors as Lifeblood Reserves Dip to Critical Levels | Lifeblood
Cited text: Whilst some stock is also held in hospitals, Lifeblood says it needs 1,200 people donating every day in the coming week to meet the needs of patients.
Excerpt: Lifeblood says it needs 1,200 people donating every day in the coming week to meet the needs of patients.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...donors-lifeblood-reserves-dip-critical-levels
Urgent call for blood donors as New Year cancellations threaten blood stocks | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Cited text: “Demand for blood and plasma continues to increase at record levels. More donations are needed than ever before, largely due to a growing and aging po...
Excerpt: Demand for blood and plasma continues to increase at record levels. More donations are needed than ever before, largely due to a growing and aging population.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...-new-year-cancellations-threaten-blood-stocks
Immediate Call for Blood Donors as Lifeblood Reserves Dip to Critical Levels | Lifeblood
Cited text: “Almost 4,000 bags of blood are needed by hospitals every day across Australia to help patients in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment, p...
Excerpt: Almost 4,000 bags of blood are needed by hospitals every day across Australia to help patients in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment, pregnancy and for a range of other medical conditions.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...donors-lifeblood-reserves-dip-critical-levels
Australian Red Cross issues urgent plea as blood donations hit five-year low due to Winter illnesses—Glam Adelaide
Cited text: “After months where cancellation rates due to illness were at their highest, now is the time to enjoy the warm glow that comes with giving blood and s...
Excerpt: An average of one in every five blood donors has cancelled or rescheduled their donations due to cold and flu symptoms each week during winter.
https://glamadelaide.com.au/austral...ns-hit-five-year-low-due-to-winter-illnesses/
Urgent call for O and A blood donors as cold and flu season hits | Lifeblood
Cited text: Around 2000 donors a week are cancelling and rescheduling appointments due to cold and flu symptoms, and it is expected to get worse in the coming wee...
Excerpt: around 2000 donors a week are cancelling and rescheduling appointments due to cold and flu symptoms, and it is expected to get worse in the coming weeks.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...l-o-and-blood-donors-cold-and-flu-season-hits
Blood Supply Fluctuations—Blood Donors and the Supply of Blood and Blood Products—NCBI Bookshelf
Cited text: It may lead to longer hospital stays if elective procedures must be postponed in order to wait for an adequate blood supply.
Excerpt: It may lead to longer hospital stays if elective procedures must be postponed in order to wait for an adequate blood supply.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK233113/
Blood Shortages Leave Doctors with No Acceptable Options — Only Solution Is More Blood Donors
Cited text: But during a blood shortage, hospital blood banks are often forced to remove blood from the emergency room and other remote storage locations — leavin...
Excerpt: During a blood shortage, hospital blood banks are often forced to remove blood from the emergency room and other remote storage locations — leaving trauma surgeons and anesthesiologists to consider the possibility that the hospital could…
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/n...leave-doctors-with-no-acceptable-options.html
Blood Shortages Leave Doctors with No Acceptable Options — Only Solution Is More Blood Donors
Cited text: Because most transfusion prescriptions are for patients with relatively severe anemia, a blood shortage leaves doctors with no easy choices for withho...
Excerpt: Because most transfusion prescriptions are for patients with relatively severe anemia, a blood shortage leaves doctors with no easy choices for withholding transfusion.
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/n...leave-doctors-with-no-acceptable-options.html
Blood Shortages Leave Doctors with No Acceptable Options — Only Solution Is More Blood Donors
Cited text: However, during a blood shortage, they could easily be sent home from clinic without a transfusion — being told that the available blood instead needs...
Excerpt: During a blood shortage, they could easily be sent home from clinic without a transfusion — being told that the available blood instead needs to be reserved for other patients in the operating room or intensive care unit.
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/n...leave-doctors-with-no-acceptable-options.html
Australian Red Cross issues urgent plea as blood donations hit five-year low due to Winter illnesses—Glam Adelaide
Cited text: Surprisingly, while over 57 per cent of the adult population are eligible to donate, only about 3 per cent of Australians actually do so regularly.
Excerpt: while over 57 per cent of the adult population are eligible to donate, only about 3 per cent of Australians actually do so regularly.
https://glamadelaide.com.au/austral...ns-hit-five-year-low-due-to-winter-illnesses/
Immediate Call for Blood Donors as Lifeblood Reserves Dip to Critical Levels | Lifeblood
Cited text: “With one in three of us needing donated blood in our lifetime, the life you save could be that of a friend or family member, so please don’t wait, bo...
Excerpt: Fewer than 3 per cent of the population donate blood regularly, yet more than 58 per cent are eligible to donate.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...donors-lifeblood-reserves-dip-critical-levels
Removing upper age restrictions for returning donors and increasing the new donor upper age: Novel adverse event findings using a comprehensive donor vigilance system in Australia—Speedy—2025—Vox Sanguinis—Wiley Online Library
Cited text: Background and Objectives In July 2019, Australia removed the upper age limit for returning donors (previously 80 years) and increased the upper age f...
Excerpt: In July 2019, Australia removed the upper age limit for returning donors (previously 80 years) and increased the upper age for new donors from 70 to 75 years.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vox.13776
Removing upper age restrictions for returning donors and increasing the new donor upper age: Novel adverse event findings using a comprehensive donor vigilance system in Australia—Speedy—2025—Vox Sanguinis—Wiley Online Library
Cited text: In July 2019, Australia removed the upper age limit for returning donors (previously 80 years) and increased the upper age for new donors from 70 to 7...
Excerpt: In July 2019, Australia removed the upper age limit for returning donors (previously 80 years) and increased the upper age for new donors from 70 to 75 years.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vox.13776
What age do I need to be to donate? | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Cited text: You can become a first-time blood, plasma or platelet donor any time up until your 76th birthday (but you can only give platelets if you’ve given plas...
Excerpt: You can become a first-time blood, plasma or platelet donor any time up until your 76th birthday.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/faq/eligibility/other/age
Blood supply levels | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Cited text: Right now, Australia needs more plasma donations than all blood types combined.
Excerpt: Right now, Australia needs more plasma donations than all blood types combined.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/donors/blood-plasma-platelets/blood-supply-levels
Blood supply levels | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Cited text: It can be used in 18 different life-giving ways.
Excerpt: It can be used in 18 different life-giving ways.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/donors/blood-plasma-platelets/blood-supply-levels
Blood donation | healthdirect
Cited text: Plasma can be used in many ways, such as to treat liver and kidney disease, to prevent and stop bleeding and the treatment of major burns.
Excerpt: Plasma can be used in many ways, such as to treat liver and kidney disease, to prevent and stop bleeding and the treatment of major burns.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/blood-donation
Blood donation | healthdirect
Cited text: You can give a plasma donation every 2 weeks.
Excerpt: You can give a plasma donation every 2 weeks.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/blood-donation
Urgent call for O and A blood donors as cold and flu season hits | Lifeblood
Cited text: More than 80 per cent of the population has an O or A blood type, meaning these are the types most needed by patients.
Excerpt: More than 80 per cent of the population has an O or A blood type, meaning these are the types most needed by patients.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...l-o-and-blood-donors-cold-and-flu-season-hits
9,500 O-type blood donors urged to donate immediately | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Cited text: He said O positive and O negative are the blood types most frequently ordered by hospitals and can both be used in emergency situations. “O negative i...
Excerpt: O positive and O negative are the blood types most frequently ordered by hospitals and can both be used in emergency situations.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...-o-type-blood-donors-urged-donate-immediately
Blood donation | healthdirect
Cited text: Your whole appointment will take about an hour.
Excerpt: Your whole appointment will take about an hour.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/blood-donation
9,500 O-type blood donors urged to donate immediately | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Cited text: “If you’ve never donated before and don’t know your blood type, coming in to donate is a great way to find out, and you get the chance to save a life....
Excerpt: A blood donation appointment takes about an hour, with the donation itself only lasting up to 10 minutes.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...-o-type-blood-donors-urged-donate-immediately
Immediate Call for Blood Donors as Lifeblood Reserves Dip to Critical Levels | Lifeblood
Cited text: Just one donation could save up to three lives.
Excerpt: Just one donation could save up to three lives.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...donors-lifeblood-reserves-dip-critical-levels
Blood donation | healthdirect
Cited text: One blood donation can save up to 3 lives.
Excerpt: One blood donation can save up to 3 lives.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/blood-donation
Australian Red Cross issues urgent plea as blood donations hit five-year low due to Winter illnesses—Glam Adelaide
Cited text: ... Those considering donating have been reminded that if impacted by cold or flu symptoms, they can donate seven days after complete recovery.
Excerpt: you can donate seven days after complete recovery.
https://glamadelaide.com.au/austral...ns-hit-five-year-low-due-to-winter-illnesses/
Urgent call for O and A blood donors as cold and flu season hits | Lifeblood
Cited text: Make an appointment to donate this winter by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au or the Donate Blood app.
Excerpt: Make an appointment to donate this winter by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au or the Donate Blood app.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...l-o-and-blood-donors-cold-and-flu-season-hits
Urgent call for blood donors as New Year cancellations threaten blood stocks | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Cited text: “To keep up with that demand, we need an extra 100,000 people to find their reason to make a blood donation in 2025.
Excerpt: To keep up with that demand, we need an extra 100,000 people to find their reason to make a blood donation in 2025.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...-new-year-cancellations-threaten-blood-stocks
Immediate Call for Blood Donors as Lifeblood Reserves Dip to Critical Levels | Lifeblood
Cited text: Lifeblood wants blood donation to become a habit for many more Australians, and not just something people do when there is an urgent need.
Excerpt: Lifeblood wants blood donation to become a habit for many more Australians, and not just something people do when there is an urgent need.
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-a...donors-lifeblood-reserves-dip-critical-levels
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