Blood Blitz aims to recruit donors amid festive season

Albany Red Cross needs more than 60 people to donate blood to prevent a shortage during the festive sea-son.

Red Cross spokeswoman Jessica Willet said the blood service was launching its Christmas Blood Blitz to help Albany Blood Donor Centre fill up numerous empty appointments this month.

“With only nine donors booked in to donate blood at Albany on Thursday, 28 December, we really need more people from the community to roll up their sleeves this Christmas,” Ms Willet said.

“Thousands of Australian patients will need blood this Christmas and new year just to have the hope of spending those moments with friends and family.” Jeremy Ellis, 21, lent a hand and donated his blood and plasma last week.

Mr Ellis has been donating his blood since he was 19 years old, when he found out he had a rare blood type needed by many cancer patients.

He urged more young people to join in and donate their blood this Christmas.

“Young people usually have the time to come down, but some people just doesn’t have any motivation to do it,” Mr Ellis said.

“They didn’t realise how easy and simple it is — you come down, sit in a comfy sofa for an hour and you get free juice and biscuits.”

To make an appointment to give blood, phone 13 14 95 or visit donate blood.com.au.