Time for giving

Last holiday season, Alfred Health used 900 blood products to help save the lives of 240 patients. The busy health service is preparing for similar numbers this year.

The Alfred’s director of trauma services, Prof Mark Fitzgerald said the most common cause of preventable death from injury is blood loss.

“Most people benefit from a small donation, just from one or two donors. It takes them from the brink of death to survival," Prof Fitzgerald said.

Gippsland farmer Peter Fletcher knows first-hand the value of donor blood, after being seriously injured when a tree-lopper landed on him earlier this month.  His injuries left him in The Alfred’s intensive care unit for more than a week.

“(Without donor blood) I wouldn’t be here – I wouldn’t be able to see my beautiful kids and wife every day,” Mr Fletcher said.

“I took the full impact of the eight tonne machine. It completely smashed up pelvic area, and my hip was destroyed.”

The holiday period is a busy time for The Alfred – commonly led by then increase in demand for emergency and trauma care.

“When a patient has lost a lot of blood after a severe injury we need to replace it quickly – often in large volumes,” Prof Fitzgerald said.

“Without fast access to donor blood, even our most talented doctors and nurses will not be able to save a bleeding patient’s life.”

Every day 6000 people world-wide die of blood loss caused by injury.

To make an appointment to give blood call the Australian Red Cross Blood Service on 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au