People with O-negative and O-positive blood types are being urged to roll up their sleeves and give blood as the nation’s reserves slip to two days’ supply.
As winter approaches and more people are affected by colds and flu, the Australian Red Cross blood service is calling on 8,000 donors to come forward in the next fortnight to help prevent a shortage.
Up to 1,000 donors affected by cold and flu symptoms could wipe out donations each day, charity spokesman Shaun Inguanzo said.
He added the two blood types are “essential” with O-negative given to patients in emergency situations and O-positive the most needed – with 39 per cent of Australians falling under the blood type.
‘We need others – in this case people with O-negative and O-positive blood – to take the place of those who will be unable to answer our call,’ Mr Inguanzo said on Tuesday.
Donors who are affected by cold and flu symptoms are able to donate at least seven days after making a full recovery.
