AUSTRALIAN Red Cross Lifeblood is opening the doors of its Wangaratta Donor Centre on Tuesdays, to provide locals with greater opportunity to donate blood or plasma at a time when more donors are crucial.
The additional day will generate an extra 34 appointments.
It closely follows an urgent nationwide appeal last week to replenish low blood stocks after more than 20,000 people cancelled, rescheduled or did not attend their donation appointments.
The news was welcomed by Wangaratta local, Kelly Smith, who has relied on blood and platelet transfusions as part of her treatment for breast cancer after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2024.
Kelly has required blood and platelet transfusions during her treatment and estimates it would have taken about 50 donors to support her needs.
Kelly encourages new and existing donors to take an hour out of their day to make a life-changing difference for people like herself.
“I don't think I'd be here if I didn't receive blood to be honest,” Kelly said.
“I urge my community to donate blood.
"The need for blood doesn’t stop and every donation makes a significant difference to a patient and their loved ones."
Kelly said she used to be a blood donor and never thought she would be on the other end of the process, receiving the life-saving donations.
"If it weren't for people's donations, my cancer treatment couldn't have gone ahead, in which case I wouldn't be here today.
"It's going to be an ongoing journey for me, I'm not likely to be cancer free but managing it, and its the generosity of the community keeping me afloat."
Every 18 seconds, someone somewhere in Australia will need blood or blood products and the demand continues to increase, largely due to a growing and aging population.
Wangaratta Lifeblood spokesperson Shae Burns said opening an extra day gives more locals the opportunity to be able to donate.
"There is an increase in demand for blood and plasma; opening on a Tuesday allows us to open an addition 34 appointments.
"This will make a tangle difference in the lives of recipients like Kelly.
"I would encourage anyone aged between 18 and 75, who weighs over 50kg to donate.
"If you are unsure if you are eligible or not, just reach out to us, don't rule yourself out.
"About one hour of your time can make a lifetime of difference to not only the person receiving the blood but also for their friends, family and wider community.
"In 2024 the Wangaratta Donor Centre collected 4465 donations, each of them makes difference."
Lifeblood’s Donor Centre is located at 17a Norton Street, Wangaratta and is open on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursday from 11am to 6:30 pm, and Friday from 7:30 am to 2:30pm.
For more information about donating blood visit lifeblood.com.au and to book a donation, call 13 14 95 or book online at lifeblood.com.au or on the DonateBlood app.