Take a bow Peter, Jennifer, David, Sally, Michael and Michelle – you've made the list.
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Forget Santa’s naughty or nice list, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service has revealed it has a secret Christmas list of life savers.
The Blood Service today revealed the list of names of those most likely to be blood donors in Dungog.
Sixty Dungog locals gave blood in 2017, donating more than 100 bags of blood, helping to save 300 lives.
This includes around 10 people who rolled up their sleeves for the first time.
Blood Service spokesperson Jemma Falkenmire said while the mobile service wouldn’t be back in Dungog until 2018, it wasn’t too late to add your name to the list, with blood donations needed at the Maitland and Newcastle Blood Donor Centres between Christmas and New Year.
“At this time of year, many of us are looking forward to a well-earned holiday, but the need for blood never takes a break,” said Ms Falkenmire said.
“The Blood Service needs 25,000 donations every week to meet patient demand and we need help to combat the expected drop-off in donations over the festive season.
“Many of our regular donors are away on holiday so we are asking new donors to roll up their sleeves and give blood at this critical time of year,” she said.
Blood has a short shelf-life and cannot be stockpiled so must be donated in the days immediately before and after public holidays.
“Most at risk are the short-lived stocks of platelets, which last only five days from collection and are vital to the treatment of cancer patients,” Miss Falkenmire said.
“We’re asking people to factor a blood donation into their holiday plans – every donation can save three lives, and what better gift to give at Christmas time than the gift of life.
“No matter what your name is, we would love to add you to our life savers list,” she said.
One in three Australians will need donated blood, but currently only three percent of Australians are blood donors.
To make an appointment to give blood, call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au
Top ten female blood donor names:
Susan, Sally, Michelle, Patricia, Wendy, Robyn, Jennifer, Melissa, Margaret, Julie.
Top ten male blood donor names:
Peter, David, Michael, John, Robert, Paul, Mark, Christopher, William, Michael and Stephen.