Lifeblood is calling on people to roll up their sleeves and donate blood this month ahead of World Cancer Day on Saturday, February 4.
More than 10,000 blood donations are needed every week to support cancer patients, and with diagnoses expected to increase by 22 per cent by 2031, cancer patients will need more donors to support them over the next decade.
Cancer patients often need a number of transfusions of blood, plasma, or plasma medicines during their treatment, with 34 per cent of all donated blood collected in Australia used to treat cancer and blood diseases.
Lifeblood donor services executive director Cath Stone said there is a common misconception that most donated blood is used in trauma and emergency situations, with 100,000 new donors required this year alone.
“During chemotherapy, platelet counts can become very low so patients may receive a platelet transfusion to prevent bleeding,” she said.
“Or they may need a medication made from donated plasma, called IVIg, which can help them remain strong enough to fight the disease, by boosting their immune systems.
“With the number of cancer diagnoses set to increase to around 1.7 million by 2031, we know that the demand for blood and plasma will be greater than ever over the next decade, so we need people to become donors now.
Details: 13 14 95 or lifeblood.com.au or on the DonateBlood app
