Blood donation a priceless gift: NZ Blood
When people decide to become blood donors, they are giving a priceless gift to someone in need, and making a lifesaving difference in communities nationwide. One donation can save up to three lives. 
New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) needs more than 900 donations every week in Christchurch. Regular weekly donations ensure blood and plasma are available for those in need across the health spectrum. Yet currently less than four percent of the eligible population in Aotearoa donates.
Donated blood can be used in treatments for those going through cancer, undergoing surgery, or who have been in a traumatic accident. NZBS says the generosity of Kiwis donating blood has always been good – there are more than 21,000 donors in Canterbury, but more than 6000 new donors are needed in the region in the next 12 months to keep up with the increasing demand for blood and blood products. Blood can be given up to four times a year. Donated red cells last just 35 days. They go towards helping a number of people in need in the community. The following breakdown figures indicates why the need for more future lifesavers is vital.
liver, kidney and heart disease – 12% cancer patients – 26%
accident victims – 21%
children, including those with cancer – 3%
pregnant women and babies – 6%
bone surgery – 6%
other medical conditions and surgical treatments – 26%
This month sees NZBS celebrate its first anniversary of opening its new plasma centre at 289 Tuam Street. For more information on becoming a donor, NZ Blood’s website and donor app has an eligibility quiz. It’s a pretty cool thing to know there is an opportunity to join those amazing Kiwis, who, because of their generosity in donating blood or plasma, are helping to keep many New Zealanders alive and living life to the fullest.
More plasma needed
Demand for plasma is growing by 10 percent per year. Kiwis can donate plasma more often than blood – every two weeks. For many donors, they choose to give monthly or every six to eight weeks.
As that can be a big ask for some people, NZBS asks that people think of it as a bit like changing our clocks for daylight saving, and donate plasma at the turn of each new season.
It is an easier way to remember to donate and make it a regular habit.
Donated plasma helps people living with ongoing health conditions, because it can be made into essential blood products that help trauma and burns victims, pregnant women, and those with auto-immune diseases, blood-clotting issues and compromised immune systems.
