The Brisbane City Donor Centre is urgently appealing for 250 O-type blood donors this week, as Australia faces its most severe shortage of O positive and O negative blood in nearly two years.
Read: Urgent Blood Donation Appeal: Here’s Where to Donate in Brisbane CBD
The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued a nationwide plea for an extra 9,500 donations over the next seven days to replenish critical blood supplies, which have dropped to their lowest levels since October 2023.
“Right now, we’re seeing the highest rates of people rescheduling or cancelling their appointments since June last year, and our O-type blood supplies are at their lowest level since October 2023,” Lifeblood Executive Director, Stuart Chesneau said.
“Every day, we issue close to 10,000 blood transfusions and medications to hospitals around the country to meet patient demand and we can’t do it without people donating,” Mr Chesneau said.
O-type blood is in especially high demand because it’s frequently used in emergency situations. O negative is the universal blood type, suitable for any patient regardless of their own blood type, and is stocked in ambulances and rescue helicopters for trauma cases where there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood group.
“O negative is considered a ‘universal blood type’ and is often stocked in ambulances and rescue helicopters so it can be used to treat patients when their blood type is unknown, such as in times of trauma when large quantities of blood is needed in a short amount of time,” Mr Chesneau explained.
Although fewer than 7 percent of Australians have O negative blood, it accounts for 16 percent of hospital orders due to its versatility. He said that donations of O positive were equally as important.
“What many people don’t know is that O positive is as safe as O negative for the majority of emergency transfusions. Some 40 per cent of people in Australia have O positive blood, meaning they too can help save lives in emergency situations,” he added.
“We’re asking people of all blood types who are feeling healthy and well, especially those with O-type blood, to make an appointment.
“If you’ve never donated before and don’t know your blood type, coming in to donate is a great way to find out, and you get the chance to save a life.”
A whole blood donation takes less than 10 minutes, with the full appointment lasting around an hour.
“An hour of your time might give someone the rest of their life. Plus, you’ll give Lifeblood’s blood supplies a much-needed boost as we head into the winter months,” Mr Chesneau said.
Appointments can be made by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au, or downloading the DonateBlood App.
Donor Centre Details
Brisbane City Donor Centre
288 Edward Street, Brisbane
Open Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Read: QUT Researchers Secure $3.2M for Health Trials in Brisbane CBD
Parking is available at Queens Plaza (250 Edward Street), with entry at the corner of Edward and Adelaide Streets.
Published 3-June-2025
