Where Have The New Donors Gone?

Media release
Monday 14 June 2010 – EMBARGOED UNTIL 6.00AM

Where Have The New Donors Gone?

World Blood Donor Day 2010 - New Blood for Life
Monday 14 June

The number of new blood donors has fallen by an unprecedented 18%, with 3,700 fewer New Zealanders volunteering to become blood donors over the past year (12 months to May 2010 compared to the 12 months to May 2009).

“We have not seen a drop in new donors like this before. It is a worrying statistic that we want to reverse now, so it doesn’t become a trend,” says New Zealand Blood Service Marketing Manager Paul Hayes.

New donor numbers over the previous three years have hovered comfortably above 21,000 per annum, but last year there were just over 17,000.

“We are taking the important opportunity on World Blood Donor Day to ask people to check if they are eligible to donate and, if they are, to make an appointment to become a donor.”

This year, more than 42,000 people will need blood or blood products for medical treatment that may help save their life. To meet the demands of the country’s health services, the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) must collect approximately 3,000 donations every week.

“With fewer people becoming new donors, we rely on our existing blood donors for this constant supply. We are very grateful to them.”

Mr Hayes says there are currently around 90,000 active blood donors*, representing just over 3% of the estimated population that are of an eligible age to become a donor.

He says the drop in new donors will be exacerbated by an ongoing annual decline in the total donor database of around 1,000 people, and the eventual impacts of New Zealand’s aging population.

“This combination of attrition is not sustainable long-term and means we will have quite a void to fill in the years to come.

“We are therefore looking to potential new donors between 18 and 30 years old in particular to step forward.

“We chose the theme New Blood for Life for World Blood Donor Day this year because we need the younger generation, the ‘new blood’ so to speak, to start donating now, and to donate regularly throughout their life.”

Mr Hayes says that this younger generation, often referred to as ‘Gen Y’ or ‘Millennials’, are the future of New Zealand’s life-saving Blood Service.

“Every donation made can help save up to three lives. If an 18 year old started donating today, and only donated once a year, they could help save more than 150 lives in their lifetime – and even more if they donated more regularly.

“Many of our current regular donors began in their younger years, but our statistics suggest the tradition is not being passed on as much as we’d hope.”

He says around a third of current active donors would be in the ‘Gen Y’ age group, but more are needed.

“It is because of regular and committed blood donors, that Kiwis can have peace of mind that the blood and blood products that they might need will be readily available.

“With fewer new donors coming forward to share the load, we are giving an extra special thanks to our dedicated blood donors today on World Blood Donor Day. And, in fact, all New Zealanders should.”

On World Blood Donor Day, check if you are eligible to donate and, if you are, please make an appointment. For more information visit www.nzblood.co.nz, call 0800 GIVE BLOOD or text ‘NEW’ to 515 for more information.

*Active donors are defined as people who have made one or more blood donations in the last 12 months.

REGIONAL OVERVIEW:
The number of new donors was down across New Zealand’s regions and centres to varying degrees, with the most significant drops, at 27%, on Auckland’s North Shore and in the Hawkes Bay. The only centre to buck the national result was Nelson, with an increase in new donors of 13%. The below cities denote the location of a static blood donor centre, many of which oversee mobile collects for their wider region on a daily basis.

Northland & Auckland new donor numbers down 22% overall
Auckland (Epsom) down 22%; North Shore down 27%; Manukau down 12%

Waikato Region new donor numbers down 20% overall
Hamilton down 20%; Tauranga down 23%

Central North Island new donor numbers down 18% overall
Hawkes Bay down 27%; Manawatu down 11%; Wellington down 20%

South Island new donor numbers down 7% overall
Nelson up 13%; Christchurch down 10%; Dunedin down 8%

Ends

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