SWAN Hill residents are being urged to roll up their sleeves and help save lives.
The Red Cross Lifeblood mobile donor centre will roll into the Curlewis Street car park from June 27 to July 8.
A Lifeblood spokesperson said there were ample booking times available during the 12-day visit.
“All blood collected in Swan Hill will go to help patients right around the nation,” the spokesperson told The Guardian.
“Donors will receive a text message letting them know when and where their donation has been sent.”
The spokesperson said the organisation was grateful for the support received from donors during the pandemic.
“However, right now we’re seeing one in two donation appointments left unattended,” they said.
“Our existing donors have been amazing these last two years, however they can’t do it alone and need more people to take up the life-saving habit.
“If you’re feeling fit and well, you aren’t waiting on test results and haven’t been told to isolate then you may be able to donate.
As a precaution, donors need to wait three days after receiving each COVID-19 vaccine before donating blood, plasma, or platelets.
This wait time applies to all COVID-19 vaccinations, regardless of which vaccine you receive.
“The three-day wait time is for donor health reasons, because the COVID-19 vaccine may cause minor side effects such as a mild fever,” the spokesperson said.
“We need all blood donors to be feeling fit and well when they give blood or plasma, and we don’t allow anyone with a fever to donate as part of our regular rules.
“Donors who donate when they’re not feeling 100 per cent can be at an increased risk of experiencing an adverse reaction, such as fainting, during or after their donation.”
Anyone who becomes unwell after donating is asked to contact Lifeblood as soon as possible so they can assess the situation and if necessary prevent their blood donation from being sent out to hospitals.
The spokesperson urged anyone unsure if they could donate, to visit lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.
“Every donation has the power to save up to three lives,” they said.
For more information about eligibility during COVID, visit www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility/COVID-19-vaccine
