New Zealand's Blood Stock Levels Remain Healthy

Essential stock levels can only be maintained if donors continue to book appointments to donate. 

New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) is sending a message of thanks to New Zealanders showing their support for blood donation during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Donors close to donor centres and mobile drives throughout New Zealand are continuing to make appointments to give blood. As a result, blood stocks are currently at a healthy level; with appointments very full for the next couple of weeks.  However, New Zealand Blood Service National Marketing and Communications Manager Asuka Burge says this situation will only continue if New Zealanders continue donating.

“Despite the obvious and very real challenges we are currently facing, New Zealand blood donors continue to prove their generosity by making appointments to donate, and adhering to the strict health and safety precautions we have in place in our donor centres and mobile drives,” says Burge. “Even in these extraordinary and unprecedented times, New Zealanders in need of blood and blood products are still able to rely on the kindness of donors.”

• Blood stock levels currently remain at a healthy level
• NZBS is asking donors who don’t yet have appointments, to book into available appointments slots later in April to help spread out donations to ensure a constant flow of donors
• Red blood cells only last 35 days which is why donations are needed every week
• NZBS needs eligible donors who are fit and healthy to continue to donate during the Level 4 lockdown
• Donor centres and mobile drives are safe places to visit
• Travel to a nearby donor centre or mobile blood drive is considered essential travel
• NZBS is asking donors NOT to travel long distances to get to a donor centre or mobile drive
• NZBS is advising donors over 70 to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines and stay safe at home.
• Booking an appointment is essential.  Appointments help manage the flow of people in donor centres at any given time, and allow NZBS to forecast supply, ensuring it is collecting sufficient quantities of blood types and blood products.
• Donors without an appointment may be turned away or asked to book for another time.

The need for blood is constant.  There is no substitute for blood; blood donors save lives.

For more information on donating blood during the COVID-19 lockdown, visit https://www.nzblood.co.nz/give-blood/covid-19-updates/

NZBS will continue to send out regular updates on blood stock levels during the Level 4 lockdown period.

About NZBS:

New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) is a not-for-profit Crown entity responsible for the collection, processing, testing and storage and distribution of all blood and blood products in New Zealand. 

NZBS relies on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donations from individuals around the country in order to provide a constant supply of precious blood and blood products used by health services to save thousands of lives.

For more information please contact:

Asuka Burge, New Zealand Blood Service, 09 523 6486, 0272 726 437 
Asuka.burge@nzblood.co.nz

Sandy Trigg, Network Communication, (09) 306 5811, 021 231 9406
Sandy.trigg@networkcommunication.co.nz

Released on behalf of New Zealand Blood Service by Network Communication