Victorians are once again being encouraged to roll up their sleeves and donate blood to save a life this spring - as ongoing high demand for blood products continues.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the Lifeblood pop-up donor centre at St Andrews Place near Parliament to see the operation in action, meet some of the staff, and encourage fellow Parliamentary colleagues to donate blood.
The pop-up donor centre is visiting for three days this week to spread the word about the ongoing need for blood and encourage people to donate.
Lifeblood says there continues to be record high demand for blood, with around 33,000 donations needed every week to meet demand - that's one donation every 18 seconds.
Victorians are some of the most generous blood donors in the country, with more than 7,000 Victorians having made more than 100 blood donations - more than anywhere else in the country.
Blood provided by donors is used in a range of treatments, including for those who have had surgery, those receiving cancer treatment, women in childbirth, people with blood disorders, and trauma patients.
Lifeblood collects more than 1.6 million blood and plasma donations each year - plasma is a vital component of blood. It can take up to 13 plasma donations to make a single vial of some plasma medicines, which is why so many donors are needed.
Along with the Commonwealth and other state and territory governments, the Allan Labor Government contributes annually to the National Blood Authority to make sure Victorian hospitals can access blood and blood products when and where they're needed.
Those looking to donate blood and help save lives can schedule an appointment by calling 13 14 95 or at lifeblood.com.au.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"The simple act of donating blood can quite literally save someone's life - if you can donate, there's few better ways to spend your time."
"Demand for donated blood remains at historically high levels - a donation is needed once every 18 seconds to meet current needs and it is fantastic to see some of my Parliamentary colleagues doing their bit to save a life."
As stated by Lifeblood Executive Director Donor Experience Cath Stone
"One in three people will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, and your donation could be the lifeline someone desperately needs."
