World Blood Donor Day 2010
The vampire-crazed fans of Twilight and True Blood who really want someone to take their blood can have their chance as part of World Blood Donor Day.
While you won’t be surrendering your veins to a sparkly dead guy, you will be helping the News Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) top up their stocks.
World Blood Donor Day ‘New Blood for Life’ is being held on Monday 14 June. The campaign is designed to attract new donors, particularly between the ages of 18 and 30.
Due to New Zealand’s aging population, the NZBS donor database declines by about 1000 people per year. The NZBS says “We need the next generation to come to the party.”
NZBS Donor Recruiter Sandra Tolve says they are always trying to “boost” new donor numbers as a result of high demand.
“Approximately 3000 whole blood donations are needed each week in order to save lives.
“This week particularly we are looking for more O+ blood donors due to a surge in usage.”
Tolve says that student participation remains variable, a fact which they are eager to change.
“In the past we have had Vic Uni Psych students running a survey on campus regarding blood donation prior to our visits, which was great, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened for a while,” says Tolve.
VUWSA Vice-President Seamus Brady says as the World Donor Day is in the middle of Vic exams, VUWSA is currently organising an on-campus blood drive for trimester two.
The self-sufficient blood service run by NZBS throughout New Zealand ensures that “Kiwi lives are saved every day with the help of voluntary blood donations made by their fellow Kiwis.”
The Wellington Donor Centre is also open Monday to Friday every week, with various times for donating either whole blood, platelets or plasma.
For more information about becoming a blood donor, call 0800 GIVE BLOOD or check out nzblood.co.nz.