We all know someone who is or has been affected by cancer – these are the people who benefit the most from blood donations.

At the moment across Queensland, and probably other states and territories, there is a dangerously low number of people booked in to give blood over Easter.

This is not good, because the Australian Red Cross Blood Service needs 27,000 blood donations each week to ensure there are adequate supplies across the country.

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Many of you will be surprised to learn that most of the blood isn’t used for people in accidents or emergencies.

Most of the it is used to help people with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Right now the blood service is “really concerned” that some products with short shelf lives will run out before they are able to be replenished with new donations.

These are the products that cancer patients in particular rely upon to help them through their chemotherapy treatments.

And if people don’t give blood over the Easter period then lots of sick people will get a lot worse.

Most donations centres are open during Easter – you just have to ring or search the web to find out specifics.

I can’t guarantee Damon will be there but you never know YUM

Some facts to consider:

1. Only one in 30 people donate yet one in three will need blood at some stage during their life.

2. The reason the need for blood is constant is because it has a limited shelf life.

3. Giving blood takes only one hour of your time and it can help save the lives of three people.

4. Provided you are fit and healthy, and aged between 16 and 70 years, you may be eligible to give blood.

You’ll probably even get a free biscuit – SCORE!

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For more information call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au

Have you ever given blood? What was your experience?

DISCLAIMER (not sure why I did one but it looks kinda cool when people do it)