Decreased donors result in blood shortage

The Australian red cross lifeblood service is urgently seeking thousands more blood donors. As appointment cancellations surge to a five-year high.

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00:00Australian Red Cross Lifeblood says as many as 1,000 donor chairs have sat empty due to

00:07people calling in sick during the colder months, sparking an urgent call for more blood donors.

00:13Lifeblood says 1 in 5 people are currently cancelling or rescheduling their appointments

00:17every week, the highest it's been in five years. It says up to 500 blood donors are

00:22needed in South Australia alone, but nationwide about 8,500 people are needed over the next

00:28week to help replenish stock. Lifeblood says Australia needs around 33,000 donations each

00:34week to meet demand, and says it'll struggle to meet patient needs if these cancellations

00:39continue off the back of the colder months when cold and flu rates peak. It's estimated

00:44up to 57% of the adult population are eligible to donate, which is an extra 10 million people

00:51who could be giving blood. And those blood products are vital for people undergoing cancer

00:55treatment, living with blood disorders, needing surgery, or for women giving birth. Lifeblood

01:01says donors who are affected by cold and flu symptoms can give blood at least seven days

01:06after making a full recovery, so it's urging anyone who is eligible to book an appointment

01:11and roll up their sleeves.