Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is calling for Maitland locals to keep donating blood, with hospital demand nationally amongst the highest it's been in 10 years.
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Donating blood and plasma remains an essential activity, and travel and venue restrictions do not prevent people from giving blood.
Lifeblood spokesperson Brian Bruce said Maitland Blood Donor Centre is looking for 60 new blood donors in the next fortnight to help meet the increased demand.
"With many hospitals reporting increases in emergency presentations, obstetrics, and surgeries, it's important people don't stop donating now," he said.
"We'd especially love to see people with O-positive and O-negative blood types book their donation soon.
"The pandemic has been a challenging time for our local blood donors, and we'd like to remind the community that blood donations are needed every day to help new mums, cancer patients, and accident and trauma victims.
"Blood donation takes just one hour - it's such a short time spent saving three Australian lives."
In addition to our already strong eligibility and hygiene protocols, Lifeblood has implemented a wide range of additional measures including to protect donors including:
- Masks for staff and donors
- Postponements for people who have tested positive to COVID-19 or been in contact with a confirmed case
- Wellness checks, including contactless temperature check, before entering the centre
- Increased cleaning of frequently used items
- Additional daily cleaning of all areas in our centres
- Implementing social distancing wherever possible
People who are healthy and well, not waiting on test results or isolating, and who haven't had a vaccination in the past 7 days can book online at lifeblood.com.au
