WITH an immediate call for donors as reserves of most blood types drop to critical levels, locals will have the opportunity to donate blood as the mobile donor centre returns to Hamilton in less than two weeks.

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued a call for donors, as without a significant boost in people donating, Lifeblood says its supplies will soon be at their lowest level this year.

From May 20-26, around 8000 additional donors are required nationally, with 3600 from Victoria, the most out of any other state.

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 current demand for blood is extremely high and the current level of donations is struggling to keep up with this high demand.

Whilst some stock is also held in hospitals, Lifeblood says it needs 1200 people donating every day in the coming week to meet the needs of patients.

Blood and plasma are required to treat a number of life-threatening conditions and their use continues to grow each year.

Lifeblood donor experience executive director, Cath Stone has urged both new donors and those who haven’t donated for some time to donate now.

“Right now, we need both blood and plasma donors; we have empty chairs across our network every single day,” she said.

“Almost 4000 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.

“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, book now.

“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.”

Ms Stone said it was likely there would be ongoing appeals for blood this winter.

“If you’ve been waiting for the right time to become a donor or have been thinking about coming back to donate, this is the time to act,” she said.

Ms Stone also encouraged people not to rule themselves out, as many potential donors incorrectly believe they are ineligible.

“If you’re unsure, you can jump on the Lifeblood website and take the eligibility quiz,” she said.

“And if you don’t know your blood type, please make an appointment, as people of all blood types are needed right now.”

Coleraine man, Quentin Baudinette has donated blood in Hamilton for the past 37 years and will be making his 125th donation on June 3.

Mr Baudinette has been donating ever since he was 18 years old, as a part of a community organisation.

“I started giving blood with Young Farmers Club in the mid-80s, it’s an organisation which was a bit of social outlet for younger people in those days,” he said.

“We did a blood drive, and we would take two or three cars over and all give blood, and when it came back up we would do it all again.”

“I started giving blood with Young Famers, and now continue to give with the Coleraine & District Action Club, which are all community organisations.”

When Mr Baudinette was asked why he has continued to donate throughout the past 37 years, he said there was no particular reason, but he just felt he could do his part to help those in need.

“It’s just a good thing to do,” he said.

“There has been cancer in my family as well as everyone else’s, so you feel better that it is going towards cancer patients.

“They need blood and we have got it.”

Mr Baudinette said he will continue to give blood and has encouraged those who are considering donating to make the most of the opportunity when the blood bank returns to Hamilton in the coming weeks.

“You never know when you might be on the receiving end, if yourself or a family member may be requiring blood in the future,” he said.

“When I can, I just do it.

“It’s just something I’ve always done, and I’ll keep doing it for as long as I can.”

Just one donation could save up to three lives.

The mobile blood bank will be available in Hamilton from Monday, June 3 to Friday, June 14 located at Melville Oval, on the corner of Glenelg Hwy and Lonsdale St, Hamilton.

To find availabilities and opening hours in Hamilton, or to book an appointment visit bit.ly/4bJwgj9