Gratitude shown to blood donors

Less than four per cent of the eligible population donate blood. File photo/SunLive.

Less than four per cent of eligible blood donors actually donate the red gold.

With today being World Blood Day, frontline health workers are joining the New Zealand Blood Service in thanking the New Zealand team of 110,000 blood donors.

'We are thankful for our donor community 365 days of the year, they are our country's unsung heroes,” says Asuka Burge, National Manager Marketing and Communications for NZ Blood. 'While our donors may not be doctors or nurses, their presence is felt in so many lifesaving situations.

'We have heard a lot of talk about New Zealand's team of five million, this is an extra special team of 110,000 that every year saves or improves the lives of over 29,000 fellow Kiwis.

'Across the country, our doctors and nurses have absolute confidence that in an emergency situation, or if a patient's treatment requires blood or blood products, it will always be there for them and that is only because of our amazing donors.”

Every 18 minutes someone in New Zealand requires blood or plasma and to continue to keep up with demand, NZ Blood needs to grow the donor registry by 10 per cent in the next 12-months.

Those interested in becoming a blood donor should download the app, visit nzblood.co.nz or call 0800 448 325 (0800 GIVE BLOOD) and book an appointment to donate.

'We're tasked to rescue critically unwell and injured patients 24/7,” says Emma Batistich, Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Doctor, Auckland Helicopter Trust.

'Blood donors are an integral part of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter team. Having blood donations on board helps us to save lives.”

Dr Jian Li, Haematology Registrar, says she gets to work closely with transfusion specialists, nurses and laboratory staffs to provide safe blood products for patients across the country.

'Blood donors might not be in the room with us, but their presence is felt, every day.”

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