Here is a good way to start off the new year - become a blood donor.
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Blood demand is amongst the highest it's been in 10 years, which is why the Ulladulla community is urged to give blood.
The Mobile Donor Centre is coming to Ulladulla in February.
The opening hours and collection days are:
Tuesday February 15 2 pm - 6:30 pm, Wednesday February 16 10 am - 6:30 pm, Thursday February 17 8 am - 4:30 pm and Friday February 18 8 am - 2 pm.
To book a donation visit lifeblood.com.au, call 13 14 95 or download the free DonateBlood App.
There are now more than three million extra people living in Australia than 10 years ago, but the number of people who donate hasn't changed.
Lifeblood spokesperson Gilly Paxton said blood donor centres are relying on the same number of donors today to maintain a blood supply for an extra three million people.
At most risk over the holiday period are supplies of platelets, relied on by trauma and cancer patients, which have a short shelf life of just three days after testing, so a constant flow of donors is needed, she said.
"In the event of a serious accident or emergency, it can take up to 100 donations to save a life."
We particularly need donors between the December 23 and New Year's Eve. In the event of a serious accident or emergency, it can take up to 100 donations to save a life.
- Lifeblood spokesperson Gilly Paxton
If you have O negative blood it is particularly important for you to donate.
"O Negative is the universal blood type and can be given to anyone in an emergency like those involved in road accidents, when there simply isn't time to find out their blood type.
"Only nine per cent of Australians have O Negative blood, but it makes up 16 per cent of orders from hospitals because it saves lives in emergencies," Gilly said.
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