Low turnout for blood donations

(By Rawanne Fadool and Alysa Greer – Bond University Journalism Students)

The last time the Red Cross mobile blood donation van visited Varsity Lakes there were so many people wanting to donate they needed appointments.

When the van visited Hope Church last week the donor turnout was low.
Australia needs more than one million blood donations a year to meet demand and maintain stock levels.

Nurse April Holgate said she had been working with the Red Cross collecting blood for two years. “We have only had 22 people donate blood and we would really like to see at least 40 people by the end of the day,” she said.

Hope Church Connections Pastor Justin Reid said they urged people to donate blood.  Pastor Reid said the last time the van visited the Church all appointments were fully booked.  “Unfortunately now it turned out to be a bad time of the year,” he said.

The Australian Red Cross website said 80 percent of Australians would need blood or a blood product at least once in their lifetime.  There are some blood groups more common than others, but all blood is scarce and always in demand, Nurse Holgate said.

Hope Church Associate Pastor Christian Kahnt said it was his ninth time to donate blood.  “I donate because it is for a good cause,” he said.

People can give blood every three months for more information on donating blood visit www.donateblood.com.au.