More blood donors needed to ‘Save the Day’

World Blood Donor Day 2011

More blood donors needed to ‘Save the Day’

The New Zealand Blood Service needs people aged 16 to 60 to save a day to donate blood. People who are eligible to donate can book an appointment to save their day to donate or register their interest with the Blood Service online.

Less than 4% of people donate blood each year. Yet, new research shows that over 8% of respondents think they have donated in the past year (see attached summary of results).

The survey also revealed that 36% of respondents have received blood themselves or know friends or family members that have received blood, underlining the importance of donated blood.

Blood Donors Save the Day, the message for World Blood Donor Day this Tuesday 14 June, is driven by a need to have more people saving at least one day a year to donate blood.

Turnover in donor availability and eligibility means 20,000 people drop off the donor database each year, so another 20,000 new donors are needed to take their place.

Currently a small and dedicated group of regular donors are responsible for providing the 150,000 units of blood our health services need each year. For 82% of them, donations were made by saving the day - either by planning in advance themselves or being contacted by the Blood Service.

In contrast, one third of non-donors said the main reason for not donating was because they had “just never got around to it”. While issues around transport, accessibility and opening hours are also cited in the survey as potential barriers, the Blood Service can assist people to manage these factors. During World Blood Donor Day the Blood Service is urging people who want to donate to save a day in the year ahead to do so.

Over 50% of respondents said they were likely to donate in the next six months once they learnt so few people donate blood, that blood only lasts 35 days and that it’s needed for cancer treatments, babies and pregnant women.

What People Didn’t Know:
61% didn’t know that blood only lasts 35 days
91% didn’t know that only 4% of people donate regularly
92% didn’t know that 7% of blood is used by pregnant women and babies
92% didn’t know that 25% of blood is used for cancer treatments

Because donated blood only last 35 days, supplies to blood banks are carefully managed. People who save a day to donate help ensure supplies are maintained for patients in need.

More people who save a day to donate will reduce the demands on current donors and also expand the database of blood types, ensuring blood is available for specific patients and for specialised medical treatments and emergencies.

Saving the day is a simple and effective way to ensure that peoples’ desire to donate is acted on. Visit www.nzblood.co.nz or phone 0800 GIVE BLOOD for more information, to register to donate or to make an appointment up to three months in advance.

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