By Eleanor Wilson
The Cranbourne West Community Hub will host a pop-up blood donor centre from next week, coinciding with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s recent urgent call out for blood.
The pop-up clinic will run during weekdays, from Monday 13 June running until Wednesday 29 June.
Of critical concern are supplies of A, O and B blood groups, Lifeblood said.
Lifeblood executive director Cath Stone said Lifeblood continued to see up to half of all appointments cancelled as people choose to stay home and isolate as they develop illnesses during the colder months.
“We know people are sick with cold and flu,“ Ms Stone said.
“We know people’s children are unwell and keeping donors at home. And we know many people are still having to isolate due to Covid-19.
“We also know that these circumstances are causing large numbers of appointment cancellations and no-shows.
“We are pleading with anyone who is well and healthy to book a donation today and encourage your friends and family to do the same.”
Session leader at the Narre Warren North Hall pop-up clinic Joe Tanner agreed, saying their pop-up centre had seen some cancellations due to the cold and flu season, but said they also had donors book appointments after hearing about the call out.
“We’ve had a few who came in from seeing the call out on Facebook and the radio, so it is nice to know donors respond to that kind of stuff,” Mr Tanner said.
At the Narre Warren centre on Thursday 2 June, first time donor Kate Lee said Lifeblood’s call-out gave her the push to donate.
“I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time and obviously the call out spoke of needing blood donors, so I thought why not,” she said.
Joanne McKie has been a donor for 12 years and visits the Narre Warren centre when it pops up every few months.
“I’m O negative meaning I’m a universal donor, so they love me when I come here,” Mrs McKie said.
Lifeblood pop-up centres have recently increased to 18 clinics across Victoria, including a number operating across the South-East in the coming months:
Cranbourne West Community Hub: Monday 13 June to Wednesday 29 June
Narre Warren North Hall: Monday 30 May to Friday 10 June
St Mary’s Community Centre, Dandenong: Monday 4 July to Friday 8 July
Pakenham Library Community Hall: Monday 18 July to Friday 29 July
To book an appointment, call 13 14 95 or head to lifeblood.com.au
