Easter blood call goes out on the Gold Coast
Gold Coast donors are needed this Easter as Lifeblood calls for locals to help ease pressure on blood reserves.
What’s happening?
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is urgently calling for more blood and plasma donations this Easter.
The appeal comes as blood reserves face pressure across Queensland, with type O and A donors especially needed.
Lifeblood is urging eligible donors to book now and donate close to home, especially as fuel supply disruptions affect travel in some regional areas.
More than 2,800 blood donations are needed across Queensland as Lifeblood works to protect the supply for hospitals and emergency care.
The call covers the period from 31 March to 10 April, with donor centres also open across the Easter long weekend, including Good Friday.
Lifeblood Executive Director Donor Experience Cath Stone said demand does not ease after one major event.
“We saw an extraordinary response from people across Australia in December, with record numbers of donations from the community during a time of need,” Cath said.
Why it matters?
Lifeblood says the Easter period can place extra pressure on supplies.
Road accidents can rise during holiday travel, while hospitals still need blood for cancer treatment, emergencies and patients living with blood disorders.
At the same time, many regular donors step away over the break.
Cath said, “The need for blood continues well beyond any single event. Blood is needed every day, and demand can spike around Easter due to increased road accidents and ongoing cancer treatment needs, at a time when many regular donors take a break.”
She also said, “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who continues to attend their appointment. If you can donate, please book ahead and keep your appointment - it could make all the difference for a patient.”
Local Impact
On the Gold Coast, Lifeblood needs 600 donors to roll up their sleeves this Easter.
That local need sits inside a wider Queensland call for thousands more donations over 10 days.
The message is simple for Gold Coast residents who are eligible: book close to home and help keep hospitals supplied through the holiday period.
Cath said many people who stepped forward after the Bondi attack can now donate again.
“Most people who donated after Bondi are now eligible to donate again, and we’re asking them - and anyone else who can - to book a donation in the next fortnight,” she said.
By the numbers
600 donors are needed on the Gold Coast, showing the scale of the local ask during the Easter period.
Up to 100 blood donations can be needed to save one life in a major trauma, which shows how quickly supplies can be used.
Around half of all donations needed this Easter long weekend are plasma donations, not just whole blood.
About 23,000 first-time donors who gave after the attack were type O or A, giving Lifeblood a strong reason to call those donors back now.
Zoom In
Lifeblood says type O and A blood is under the most pressure right now.
O-negative remains vital in emergencies because it can be given before a patient’s blood type is known.
Cath said O-positive is also playing a bigger role in urgent care.
“O-positive blood can’t be given to all patients, but with positive blood types becoming more common, it has become essential in emergency care, saving doctors and nurses precious time when a transfusion is needed,” she said.
Plasma is also in strong demand this Easter.
“Transfusions of fresh frozen plasma are often used to help save the lives of emergency department patients by replacing vital clotting factors needed to control severe bleeding,” Cath said.
She added, “Many Australians don’t know their blood type - but that shouldn’t stop them from donating as all types are needed to donate plasma this Easter.”
Zoom Out
This is not only an Easter issue.
Lifeblood says blood is needed every day for accident victims, cancer patients and people with ongoing health conditions.
Holiday periods often make supply harder to manage because donor routines change, even while hospital demand continues.
That is why Lifeblood is asking people to book ahead, keep appointments and donate during the long weekend.
What To Look For Next?
For now, the goal is clear, more local donations, more booked appointments, and stronger blood supplies through Easter.