What’s Happening?
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an urgent donor appeal across Queensland. Type O and A blood supplies remain low.
Recent appeals kept stocks above critical levels, but O-positive and O-negative supplies remain depleted. A-positive stocks have also fallen in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, peak winter illness is reducing donations while urgent hospital orders remain high.
Why It Matters
O-positive and O-negative blood often supports emergencies when a patient’s blood type remains unknown. Stable supplies allow hospitals to respond quickly to patients in serious condition.
Donated blood also helps cancer patients, new mothers, people undergoing surgery and children. Continued shortages place added pressure on supplies when winter sickness reduces donor availability.
Local Impact
Mackay needs 180 blood and plasma donors as part of Queensland’s urgent appeal. Local donations can replace missed appointments and help rebuild low stocks.
People who are fit and well can book now, even without knowing their blood type. Those recovering from illness must remain symptom-free for seven days before donating.
By The Numbers
- Queensland urgently needs 3,000 extra donors to restore O-positive, O-negative and A-positive blood stocks.
- Around 8,000 units support urgent or life-threatening orders nationally each month. Some must leave within 30 minutes.
- Up to 1,600 appointments remain empty nationally each day, while many other donors cancel or reschedule.
- Only 3% of Australians donate blood, although more than 80% have an O or A blood type.
Zoom In
Lifeblood spokesperson Belinda Smetioukh said winter illness could remove thousands of potential donors from the available pool.
“Nationally we’re seeing up to 1,600 donation appointments sit empty every day, with many more people cancelling or rescheduling appointments. Even mild symptoms such as sniffles, sore throats, and headaches make people temporarily ineligible to give blood, and this can severely impact the availability of donors during winter months.”
Smetioukh encouraged healthy residents to book while reminding recovering donors about the seven-day waiting period.
“We’re urging anyone who is fit and well to book an appointment now, and anyone recovering from illness to donate as soon as they can. Only three per cent of Australians donate blood. We’re asking people not to leave it to others – our regular donors alone cannot sustain supplies through winter, and we need more people to step up.”
Zoom Out
Emergency orders continue despite the seasonal decline in donor availability. Smetioukh said O-negative and O-positive blood are particularly important when a patient’s blood type is unknown.
“Patients in critical situations will always get the blood they need, but full fridges are essential to ensuring blood is available for everyone who needs it, when they need it. This includes cancer patients, new mothers, people undergoing surgery, and many other patients, including children who need donated blood to save their lives. We’d all want blood to be there if it was someone we knew or loved who needed it.”
People can still donate if they do not know their blood type. More than 80 per cent of Australians have an O or A blood type.
What To Look For Next?
A strong Mackay response could fill vacant appointments and improve Queensland supplies throughout winter. Lifeblood wants fit and well residents to book immediately.
People recovering from illness can donate after seven symptom-free days. Book through lifeblood.com.au, the Lifeblood app or by calling 13 14 95.
