Urgent need for blood donors in Taree this Easter

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood staff have called for more donors this week after many Manning residents were forced to cancel donation appointments due to the floods.

The upcoming holiday break, which is usually a quiet period for donations, has also heightened concern.

In further unfortunate news, Lifeblood's stocks of O-negative blood continue to drop.

Lifeblood executive director of donor services Cath Stone said other blood types also need a boost, but O-negative was particularly important over the Easter period.

"O-negative is the universal blood type and can be given to anyone in an emergency, such as a road trauma, when there simply isn't time to find out someone's blood type," Cath said.

"Only nine percent of Australians have O-negative blood, but it makes up 17 per cent of orders from hospitals because it saves lives in emergencies.

"Our stocks of O and A blood types are lower than we'd like, so an extra 8,000 blood donations are needed immediately to boost blood supplies back to normal levels."

One third of Australia's blood supply comes from NSW, and last week's floods resulted in many appointment cancellations.

"Our donor centres across the country will be open over the long-weekend, and I urge Australians who can safely make it to their local donor centre to book an appointment in the place of those who can't," Cath said.

"We understand so much has been asked of Australians over the last 12 months, from bushfires, to the pandemic and now floods.

"While we've appealed for donors multiple times already this year, the number of people responding simply isn't meeting patient demand.

"Even in the face of natural disasters or global pandemics, the need for blood remains and that's why this call-out is so important."

The Taree Lifeblood centre will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday but will reopen Easter Monday.

To book a donation, visit lifeblood.com.au, download the free Donate Blood app or call 13 14 95.