How To Help: Blood Donors Needed Amid Storms and Fires

The Red Cross is urging people across the county to donate blood to help reverse a drop in donations due to the devastating bushfires Queensland and severe storms in NSW.

Executive director of the Red Cross's donor services Cath Stone said fires and storms were preventing many regular donors from attending their donation appointments.

"These two states make up over half (52 per cent) the nation's blood donations," she said on Thursday.

"We are looking for additional donors over the next few days, as many of our regular donors in these states are dealing with the impacts of these floods and fires."

In Sydney, donor attendance and blood collection services have been severely affected, with mobile blood services off the road and up to half of donors cancelling their appointments.

The drop off in blood donations may put cancer and trauma patients at risk as they rely on blood products such as platelets, which have a shelf life of only five days.

Donors can make appointments on 13 14 95 or at donateblood.com.au

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