The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood service is urging Bundaberg Region residents who are healthy and well to continue with their donations.
The call comes after hundreds of people per day cancel their appointments due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
“We have seen around 800 people cancelling their appointments every day across the country,” Australian Red Cross Lifeblood's Belinda Smetioukh said.
“In Bundaberg alone, 500 more donors are needed over the next few weeks.”
The organisation is taking strict precautions to make sure donors feel 100 per cent before appointments.
Staff are postponing anyone who has travelled overseas for 28 days and robust clinical-grade cleaning measures are in place to keep donors healthy.
Lifeblood chief executive Shelly Park said help was needed keep Australia’s blood reserves flowing.
“Coronavirus does not stop the need for blood and plasma. It is a critical resource and demand for blood is constant and will continue to be,” she said.
“There are currently, and will continue to be over the coming weeks and months, patients involved in road accidents who need large volumes of blood for transfusions, cancer patients who will still need support to survive their treatment, and there will still be women who experience complications while giving birth, as well as many others who rely on this precious resource.
“We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has answered our call so far, however this will be an ongoing need and we urge everyone to make blood or plasma donation part of their immediate and ongoing plans.”
To donate phone 13 14 95, book online at lifeblood.com.au or on the donate blood app.
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