HASTINGS residents are being asked to give a little bit with National Blood Donor Week an opportunity to encourage more people too think about making a life saving donation.
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Tonight at Sails Resort, the Mid North Coast branch of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service celebrate the local champions who are among more than half a million Australians who regularly roll up their sleeves and selflessly give blood which makes its way to hospitals around the country.
Blood Service spokesperson Greg French said the event will mark a milestone for the 41 local donors who have all made their 50th donation or more.
"Between them they have made 4700 donations - which is more than 2000 litres of blood flowing from Port Macquarie to more than 600 hospitals around Australia," Mr French said.
More than 1.3 million blood donations are made every year across Australia, helping more than 3.9 million people - almost one fifth of Australia's population.
Mr French said while it is well known that one blood donation saves three lives, the overall impact of each donation reaches so much further.
"Blood donors change more than just three lives, they help to save with each blood donation," Mr French said.
"A donation of blood has a ripple effect, from the person receiving the blood, right through to their family and their friends.
"Surgical patients, new mothers and people with cancer all rely on blood donations."
Mr French said it was a common misbelief that blood is only used in emergency situations after incidents such as road trauma. Road trauma accounts for just two per cent of Australia's total blood stock usage while cancer patients use up to 34 per cent of the nation's blood supply.
"Chemotherapy treatments kill off the good cells along with the bad, and can stop the body from being able to produce certain blood cells," Mr French said.
"Cancer patients rely on donated blood to survive the treatment. It's because of blood donors that any cancer patients are now in remission."
It takes less than one hour to make a blood donation. To become a donor, call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au
* 34% cancer patients
* 19% anaemia and related causes
* 18% open heart surgery and burns victims
* 13% heart, stomach and kidney disease
* 10% orthopaedic patients including fractures and joint replacements
* 4% pregnant mothers, new mums and young children
* 2% road trauma
