Keep blood supplies healthy this winter

It’s something many of us don’t realise but blood is most commonly needed by cancer and Leukaemia patients, accounting for 34% of all usage.

The medical emergency stories seen on TV have perpetuated the myth that the majority of donated blood is used to treat those suffering injuries sustained in accidents or in emergencies. However, this only attributes for 2% of blood usage.

Cancer patients may require transfusions if their bone marrow is not making enough of a component of the blood called platelets. This happens when platelet-producing bone marrow cells are damaged by chemotherapy or radiation therapy or when they are ‘crowded out’ of the bone marrow by cancer cells.*

Donated blood is also used to help save the lives of people with heart, stomach, bowel, liver and kidney diseases, trauma and accident victims, those with haemophilia, pregnant women and premature babies.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service Operations Manager, Rod Astbury said, “Every week this month, we need to collect 3,000 donations in WA alone in order to maintain adequate blood supplies for hospital requirements.”
 
“While blood is needed all year round, winter is an especially challenging time with many regular donors unable to give blood due to colds and flu.

“We all believe that blood will be there if we need it, but right now the health of the population is riding on a very small percentage of people.

 “Whilst one in three Australians will need blood at some point in their lives, just one in 30 gives blood.”

HBF has teamed up with the Blood Service to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation and encourage West Australians to do their bit to help reach this month’s statewide collection target of 12,000 donations.

“Blood donation is critical to the provision of high quality health services in WA and touches the lives of many people in our community,” Mr Bransby said.

“HBF is proud to support the work of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and help the ARCBS reach its target of securing 12,000 blood donations in the month of June.”

You can give blood at any Australian Red Cross Blood Service Donor Centre. It takes less than an hour and can save the lives of three people.

To find out where your closest blood Donor Centre is and to make an appointment please call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au.

*Information on why cancer patients need blood transfusions was taken from: Why Cancer Patients Might Need Blood Product Transfusions by the American Cancer Society, Last Revised: 01/13/2009 at http://www.cancer.org

Media and Interview Opportunity

Day/Date: Wednesday 17th June

Time: 11:00am sharp.

Venue: Princess Margaret Hospital - Roberts Road Subiaco 

Special Guests: Five year old Jarvis Brett - PMH Oncology Patient
Rochelle Brett, Jarvis’ mother.
Rod Astbury, Operations Manager – Australian Red Cross Blood Service
Rob Bransby, Managing Director – HBF

For further information please contact Craig Phillips, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, 0421 731 319 or 08 9421 2347.