4% growth in demand for blood and plasma stretches New Zealand Blood Service

Over 7000 appointments still to before Christmas across New Zealand

New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) needs 7000 more eligible people to book an appointment to donate blood and plasma in the next 16 days so it can meet demand over the holiday season and into January.

As we move into the summer period, NZBS has forecast a 4% increase in demand when compared to the same period last year*

NZBS National Marketing and Communications Manager Asuka Burge says 4% might not seem like a huge amount, but if you break it down into donations that’s over 2,000 additional donations, each one with the potential to save someone's live. 

“Last year 53,537 units of blood, plasma and platelets were issued across Aotearoa between December to February,” continues Ms Burge.  “This summer we’re forecasting a 4% increase in demand over the same period due to general increased usage we’ve seen over the course of 2022.

“Our donors do a remarkable thing, donating blood and plasma is one of the most altruistic things a person can do.  We are asking everyone to consider their plans for the next few weeks, and please find time to donate.  Give blood, give plasma, and give hope to a fellow Kiwi and their whānau this Christmas. For someone, it will represent the best gift they ever receive.

“And if you’ve never donated before, there will never be a better time to start your donation journey and become a lifesaver.”

To make it easy to donate wherever you are over the summer, Ms Burge suggests downloading the NZBlood Donor app where you can check your eligibility, search for a donation location using geo-location, check available bookings and book your next donation slot.

“One of the awesome features of our app is not only does it make booking an appointment super easy, but donors actually get a notification when their blood is used to save a life.  You can be doing something really mundane; your phone will buzz and say you’ve helped save a life.  We know our donors don’t do it for the kudos, but it’s a pretty cool feeling to know you’ve made a difference,” says Ms Burge.

About New Zealand Blood Service:

New Zealand Blood Service in a not-for-profit Crown entity responsible for the collection, processing, testing and storage and distribution of all blood and blood products in New Zealand.

We rely on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donations from individuals around the country in order to provide a constant supply of precious blood and blood products used by our health services to save thousands of lives.

For more information, please contact:

Asuka Burge, New Zealand Blood Service, (09) 523 6486, 027 272 6437  

Asuka.burge@nzblood.co.nz