New Zealand Celebrates National Blood Donor Week

Media release

• Monday June 13 – Sunday June 19
• We are Whānau is the theme for New Zealand's first-ever National Blood Donor Week. 

Nearly 38,000 new donors are needed across New Zealand in the next 12 months to keep up with the country’s increasing demand for blood and plasma.

The call for new donors comes as New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) celebrates its first-ever National Blood Donor Week from June 13 to 19.

National Blood Donor Week is a way for NZBS to say a big ‘thank you’ and recognise the lifesaving generosity of New Zealand’s donors. Every year, almost 110,000 Kiwis donate more than 220,000 units of blood, plasma and platelets, and help save the lives of 29,000 people across Aotearoa.

Currently, less than four percent of New Zealand’s eligible adult population are blood donors, and NZBS needs more people to join its whānau of lifesavers and start donating regularly if it’s going to keep pace with future demand for blood and blood products.

“This National Blood Donor Week we’re thanking our amazing donor family, but also encouraging others who have never given blood or plasma before to find out if they are eligible, and to roll up their sleeves to donate,” says NZBS National Manager Marketing & Communications Asuka Burge.

“There can’t be many other ways you can save up to three lives in an hour and we think that’s something pretty special.”

The theme for the inaugural week is ‘We are Whānau’, as the donor community is often referred to as a ‘family of lifesavers’. Like a family, our donors and recipients are connected by a shared understanding of the true value of donating and have an appreciation of community responsibility beyond just our own home. And more literally, every day 83 Kiwi families will have a loved one that needs lifesaving blood and plasma.

“Every 18 minutes someone in New Zealand needs blood – that’s someone’s child, parent, grandparent or friend,” continues Ms Burge. “Most of us don’t wake up one morning and think today is the day my life or the life of someone I love will be saved by a stranger. However, unseen emergencies are happening to families every day.

“Thankfully, because of our dedicated whānau of blood donors, we know blood and blood products are always going to be available whenever, and wherever we need them. New Zealand’s donors help safeguard the health of others and do so with kindness and selflessness.”

People can find out if they are eligible to donate by visiting www.nzblood.co.nz, downloading the app or using the Facebook Blood Donation tool to find out more information about venues to donate near them.

Don’t wait to save a life – join New Zealand’s whānau of lifesavers during National Blood Donor Week.

To find a location to donate or book an appointment, download the NZ Blood App, visit nzblood.co.nz or call 0800 GIVE BLOOD (0800 448 325).

About New Zealand Blood Service:

New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) 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.

NZBS also provides cell and tissue products and related services to meet public health needs, and maintains national oversight of organ donation and distribution.

For more information, please contact:

Asuka Burge, New Zealand Blood Service, (09) 523 6486, 027 272 6437
Asuka.burge@nzblood.co.nz

Sandy Trigg, Network Communication, 021 231 9406
Sandy.trigg@networkcommunication.co.nz