If you’ve ever wondered whether your blood type could make a difference, now’s the time to find out.

Australia’s blood reserves are running dangerously low, and the Red Cross is sounding the alarm for urgent donations.

Whether you’re a seasoned donor or have never rolled up your sleeve, your contribution could be the lifeline someone desperately needs.


Every single day, hospitals across Australia rely on nearly 10,000 blood transfusions and blood-based medications to treat patients.

From accident victims to cancer patients, blood is an essential component of emergency and ongoing care.


But right now, the Red Cross Lifeblood service is facing a crisis: O-type blood supplies are at their lowest since October 2023, and the number of people cancelling or rescheduling their donation appointments is at its highest in over a year.

Stuart Chesneau, Executive Director of Red Cross Lifeblood, put it bluntly: ‘We can’t do it without people donating.’

The organisation is calling for an extra 9,500 donations in just the next week to keep up with demand.


O-negative blood is often referred to as the 'universal donor' because it can be transfused to anyone in an emergency, regardless of their blood type.

That’s why paramedics and rescue helicopters always carry it—it’s the go-to when there’s no time to check a patient’s blood type.

But here’s the catch: only about 7 per cent of Australians have O-negative blood, yet it accounts for 16 per cent of all blood used in hospitals.

But don’t worry if you’re not O-negative! O-positive blood is also incredibly valuable.

In fact, for most emergency transfusions, O-positive is just as safe and effective.

With 40 per cent of Australians having O-positive blood, there’s a huge pool of potential donors who could make a real difference.

You might be surprised to learn that 57 per cent of Australians are eligible to give blood, but only 3 per cent do so regularly.

That means there’s a massive untapped resource out there—maybe even you! If you’re feeling healthy, and especially if you know you’re O-type, now is the perfect time to book an appointment.

If you’ve never donated before, the process is straightforward and safe. After a quick health check and a few questions, you’ll be comfortably seated while a small amount of blood is collected—usually about 470ml or less than half a litre.

The whole process takes less than an hour, and you’ll be treated to a complimentary snack and a cuppa afterwards.

Plus, you’ll walk away knowing you’ve made a real difference.

Life gets busy, and sometimes appointments fall by the wayside. But with the current shortage, every missed donation counts.

If you’ve booked an appointment, try your best to keep it—or, if you need to reschedule, do so as soon as possible so another donor can fill your spot.

Many of our Seniors Discount Club members are long-time blood donors, and we salute you!

If you’re over 60 and in good health, you can still donate—there’s no upper age limit for blood donation in Australia, as long as you meet the health requirements.

Your experience and commitment are invaluable to the blood bank community.

You can help by booking an appointment through the Red Cross Lifeblood website or by calling 13 14 95.

Encourage your friends and family to come along—donating can be a social outing and is always more meaningful with the company.

If you're a regular donor, share your story and let others know why you give blood; your experience could inspire someone else to do the same.

Blood donation is one of the simplest, most generous acts you can do—and it’s needed now more than ever.

If you’re eligible, please consider making an appointment this week. You could be the reason someone gets a second chance at life.
Have you donated blood before? Are you O-type, or do you have a story about how blood donation has touched your life or your family? We’d love to hear from you—share your experiences and tips in the comments below.