The time to donate blood in Melbourne's eastern suburbs is now, as post-Cyclone Alfred shortfall looms

More than 300 blood donation appointments are available across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs over the next four days, as demand ramps up ahead of expected donation shortfalls in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

I did my bit on Wednesday afternoon, trekking to the Lifeblood Ringwood donor centre to make my regular deposit. I started donating blood in March 2021, as it was one of the reasons you could travel beyond the 5km Covid travel restriction, and allowed me to get out of the house while feeling like I was doing something useful.

Now, about four years later, this was my 11th donation.

The Ringwood donor centre is a short walk from Ringwood station. Upon entering, I’m met with a smile and asked to fill out a short questionnaire about my current health. I’m offered a cup of water and can spy some yummy treats, including some meat pies and biscuits.

The friendly nurse, Ash, takes me to a separate room to confirm I am eligible to make a donation. I sit, and my haemoglobin levels are tested with a little prick on a finger. Then my blood pressure is checked to make sure my levels are ready.

I don’t like looking at the needle going into the arm, and totally get people who may be a bit squeamish at the sight of the blood filling the bag, because it does look like a lot.

But I just think about how much my blood will help someone in need. The average donation time is about 15 minutes, but mine was done in eight.

My blood type - O-negative – is a universal blood type, meaning it can be safely given to anyone.

I don’t want to get all cheesy and say the warm fuzzy feeling you get when a text arrives saying where your blood has travelled, or how many people it helped, makes it all worth it – but it does.

There is always a high level of need and knowing that your effort – no matter how small – is going to help someone is a large reward for a relatively small amount of your time.

After the donation, you can sit down and grab a coffee or a tea, and plenty of goodies including meat pies, sausage rolls, biscuits and chocolate milk. I opted for a few biscuits, a pie and a sausage roll, plus an apple juice.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has forced Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to close 22 donor centres in Queensland and NSW.

“We are calling on people in other parts of the country to step up and book a donation so we can make up this shortfall,” said Lifeblood’s Cath Stone. “Blood is a critical resource and there are patients across Australia, including in impacted areas, who are reliant on blood and plasma donations.”

She said Lifeblood had been “working closely with hospitals this week to ensure they had enough stock before the cyclone arrived”.

Every blood donation can help three people. Last year, Lifeblood received a record 1.66 million donations, an increase of almost 30,000 on 2023.

However, Stone said demand continued to climb with supply, largely due to a growing and ageing population: “To keep up with that demand, we need an extra 100,000 people to find their reason to make a blood donation in 2025.”

To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit the Lifeblood website or download the Donate Blood App.