Australian donor blood stocks running low
Baku, June 21 (AZERTAC). AUSTRALIA'S stocks of donor blood have hit critically low levels with less than three days of supply remaining.
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service has a total of just 2.2 days supply of all blood types following a steady decline in donations - less than half the six days of supply it needs.
Since February, the Red Cross has attracted 27,000 fewer appointments than required to maintain its supply levels.
Blood Service spokeswoman Kathy Bowlen said the Red Cross had no explanation for the drop-off.
"People in the business a decade or so are saying they've never seen it this bad in terms of a long, slow decline," she told AAP.
"In effect, it's as though we've missed an entire week of donations.
"It's a real worry for us because of course there hasn't been a steady decline in people needing blood."
Ms Bowlen said the Red Cross desperately needed appointments from former donors and anyone who has ever considered donating to make up for the lost ground.
The typical bag of blood can only be stored for around five days meaning the Red Cross needs a constant stream of donors, Ms Bowlen said.
"One in three people will need blood in their lifetime but only one in 30 Australians donate," she said.
"Right now we are all relying on too few Australians to keep the blood supplies flowing."
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