Donors are needed to fill 200 vacant appointments in the Hunter Valley during this period.

Back-to-back long weekends mean more donors will be away, posing a threat to the ongoing supply of platelet stocks which have a shelf-life of only five days and are in constant demand to treat cancer patients.

Maitland Red Cross Blood Service donor centre is looking for extra donations today and on April 24. There is an urgent need for O negative blood type.