Unseen Emergencies happen every day

On July 1^st, 2021 New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) will be launching an ‘Unseen Emergencies’ awareness campaign to remind Kiwis that the need for blood is constant – every 18 minutes someone in New Zealand will need blood.

 “Kiwis are amazing at coming together during national crisis,” says Asuka Burge, National Marketing and Communications Manager. “During times like White Island or the Mosque Attacks, we are always blown away with the amazing response to donate blood. But the reality is, we need blood and plasma donations regularly, every day, throughout the year.”

The messages for the campaign is simple - Don’t wait to save a life.  Your whanāu, friends or someone in your community may need a transfusion one day to save their life, and it’s because of the generosity of our 110,000 blood, plasma and platelet donors that this can happen. 

Last year alone approximately 30,000 people across Aotearoa needed blood transfusions, and without the voluntary donations from committed blood and plasma donors many would not have survived.

Guardians of NZ’s Blood Supply

NZBS is responsible for collecting over 200,000 blood and plasma donations every year. As guardians of New Zealand’s blood supply, NZBS relies on the voluntary blood, plasma and platelet donations from fellow Kiwis. 

We need more Kiwis donating regularly, to ensure there is always enough lifesaving blood, plasma and platelets for future unseen emergencies.

With nine-fixed site donor centres open and a number of mobile blood drives scheduled around the country, new donors are encouraged to visit the NZBS website, download the NZ Blood mobile app to find the closest place to book an appointment to donate or call 0800 GIVE BLOOD.

About NZBS:

New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) in a not-for-profit Crown entity and the sole organisation 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.

• Every 18 minutes in New Zealand, someone needs blood or blood products.
• There is no alternative for patients in need of blood or blood products – blood donors save lives.
• Every whole blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives.
• Plasma donations can make up to 11 lifesaving plasma products.
• The demand for plasma-derived products is increasing by approximately 8% year on year.