Healthy blood donors flu and far between
AUSTRALIAN Red Cross Blood Service’s Cairns Donor Centre is experiencing an earlier-than-expected decline in donations brought on by the flu season.
Staff at the Cairns North centre have been turning back donors showing flu symptoms because of a policy of only taking blood from people in full health.
Fifty-nine donations of whole blood and plasma are needed to meet demand for the remainder of this week, while another 74 are needed next week.
The Cairns Donor Centre distributes blood products to hospitals between Innisfail and Thursday Island.
ARCBS communications adviser Belinda Smetioukh said she encouraged people who were fit and well to book a donation appointment.
She said the Cairns Donor Centre would be open next Monday for the Queen’s Birthday public holiday, when donations were typically difficult to acquire.
“Generally, over the winter months, blood is needed because a lot of people cancel appointments and can’t donate because they’ve got a cold or flu,” Ms Smetioukh said.
“We traditionally see a drop in donors and we’ve certainly already in the that very early on this winter.
“We’re really trying to put the call out there, so that blood stocks don’t suffer.”
She said nationally about 900 donors a week nationally were cancelling their appointments because of cold and flu symptoms.
“Cancellations, nationally, have been quite early on this flu season, so we’re trying be proactive and encourage anyone feeling healthy and well to come forward.
“Traditionally winter is a difficult time and traditionally public holidays are a difficult time, so combining the two, we’re concerned that we may see a drop.”
Whole blood appointments for next Monday have been fulfilled, however, the centre still needs to secure 11 donations of plasma.
Just under half a litre of blood is taken in an average donation of whole blood, while anywhere between 600ml and 900ml is required for plasma, depending on the size and experience of the donor.
Donated blood is essential in the treatment of patients suffering illness such as cancer, blood disease, kidney disease and those undergoing surgery, among other treatments. ARCBS community engagement officer for the North Queensland region, Sandy Holmes, said about 98 per cent of donations were used in general treatment while 2 per cent were used in hospital emergency departments.
“Cairns is quite unique in that it often suffers from restrictions caused by Dengue fever.
“When we have a declared zone of too many cases of Dengue fever in the one area, then we can’t take whole blood donations during that time.
“A lot of people come and join us before Christmas when it’s the holidays and people have a bit more time.
“We would really like to see a lot more people after Christmas.”
To make an appointment to donate blood, call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au.