Nationwide, more than 6500 appointments were cancelled.
“The blood supply is lower than we would like in Victoria due to a high number of donors cancelling or rescheduling appointments in the last week,” Lifeblood spokesperson Emily Granland said.
“Lifeblood encourages the people of Shepparton and surrounds to donate blood or plasma.
“With 60 appointments still available in the next week, there are 60 opportunities to make a life-changing difference to someone who needs blood. Every donation saves up to three lives.”
Across Australia, more than 9500 blood and plasma transfusions and medications are issued to hospitals every day, according to Lifeblood.
“We know the festive season is a busy time of year, and everyone looks forward to a well-earned break, but the need for blood has not stopped,” Lifeblood Donor Experience executive director Cath Stone said.
“There are still cancer patients, road trauma victims, new mums and newborn babies, and people with immune deficiencies that are relying on the generosity of blood donors.
“Now that the holiday season has come to an end and people are returning to their normal routines, we’re hoping more people will find an hour in their schedule to save lives.”
The urgent need for more donations comes despite a record 1.66 million donations being given in 2024, an increase of almost 30,000 donations compared to 2023.
Community members in the Shepparton area did their part to contribute to the record number of donations.
“Last year more than 9100 donations were collected at our Shepparton blood donor centre,” Ms Granland said.
“We would like to thank those donors and urge those who have not donated before to make 2025 your year to start if you can.”
According to Ms Granland, demand for blood is at a 12-year high and is continuing to grow.
Lifeblood said the organisation needed an extra 100,000 people across the country to become donors this year in order to keep up with demand.
There are eight main blood types, and all are needed, as well as plasma and platelet donations.
The types are O positive, O negative, A positive, A negative, B positive, B negative, AB positive and AB negative.
According to the Lifeblood website, there’s currently an urgent need specifically for O- and A-type blood in Victoria, although all donations are encouraged.
B negative and AB negative blood type levels are listed as very low.
While the first week of 2025 may have been quieter than hoped, the Shepparton Lifeblood donation centre was bustling on Wednesday, January 8.
People enjoyed free snacks and drinks while they waited for their appointment to start, or relaxed after completing their donation.
Friendly staff worked hard to keep donors comfortable and expressed appreciation for the constant flow of people they’d seen that day.
Staff encourage anyone who wants to donate to call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood app.
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