Australian Red Cross Lifeblood asks for Rockingham blood and plasma donors this Christmas

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is putting a call out for 330 blood and plasma donors to give the Gift of Life in Rockingham this Christmas.

The Rockingham Donor Centre will be open every day except Christmas and New Year’s Day between December 23 and January 3 to ensure patients continue to receive lifesaving blood products throughout the festive season.

The centre especially needs 40 extra donors in Rockingham on Boxing Day.

Lifeblood spokesperson Jessica Willet said there was no better gift than life this Christmas.

“Donating blood only takes an hour of your time, but for a patient it’s life-changing. That change may be a second chance, the key to a fuller life, or perhaps it’s more time with family and friends,” Ms Willet said.

“Blood is needed somewhere in Australia every 18 seconds to help cancer patients, pregnant mums, trauma patients and many more.

“Our message this Christmas is don’t just give something, give everything. Donate blood and you can help to save up to three lives.”

Ms Willet said there was no substitute for blood and a particular component called platelets lasted only for seven days.

“With many donors expected to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, and perhaps taking the opportunity to travel, the supply of platelets is a particular concern,” she said.

“It takes four blood donations to make just one bag of platelets, which plays a vital role in clotting and cancer treatment. We need a constant, fresh supply across the holidays to meet the needs of patients.”

From now until December 31, donors will receive a Gift of Life gift tag to either gift their donation to someone this Christmas or encourage others to roll up their sleeves for the cause.

“Blood donation is one of the greatest gifts you could give. It’s free, heartfelt and it’s not just for Christmas — we’d love to see these Secret Santas back throughout the year because the need for blood never stops,” Ms Willet said.

The Rockingham Donor Centre is at Unit 3a, 1 Benjamin Way, Rockingham and is open on:

December 23: 7am – 2.30pm

Christmas Eve: 7am – 2pm

Christmas Day: CLOSED

Boxing Day: 7am – 2pm

December 27: 7am – 3.30pm

December 28: 7am – 3.30pm

December 29: 9am – 5.30pm

December 30: 7am – 2.30pm

New Years Eve: 7am – 2pm

New Year’s Day: CLOSED

January 2: 7am – 2pm

January 3: 7am – 3.30pm