EVERY 26 minutes an Australian is diagnosed with blood cancer, and for many, survival can depend on the generosity of people they will never meet.
The need is enormous and the callout for Ipswich residents to roll up their sleeves is growing by the day.
A single patient undergoing treatment for acute leukaemia can require up to 36 bags of platelets each month.
With four blood donors needed to produce each bag, one patient could rely on donations from as many as 144 strangers in just one month.
The Leukaemia Foundation and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood have joined forces to issue the call, highlighting the critical role regular donations play in keeping cancer patients alive and able to continue treatment.
New research has also revealed widespread misconceptions about where donated blood goes, with seven in 10 Australians believing accident and emergency patients are the biggest users.
In reality, cancer patients are Australia’s largest users of donated blood products.
About 34 per cent of donated red blood cells are used by people with cancer, 17 times the amount used for road accidents and other trauma cases.
Leukaemia Foundation chief executive Chris Tanti said transfusions were a vital part of treatment for thousands of Australians living with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
“Over one in three blood transfusions in Australia occur in people living with cancer, including blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma,” Mr Tanti said.
“For thousands of patients, donated blood, plasma and platelets are not simply part of treatment they are a crucial lifeline that keeps them alive long enough for the treatment to work.
“Blood donations are undoubtedly one of the most powerful yet often overlooked ways that Australians can help someone facing cancer.”
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood chief executive Stephen Cornelissen AM said demand for blood products continued to grow.
“Every day, donated blood products are helping Australians through some of the toughest moments of their lives,” Mr Cornelissen said.
Australians can book a blood or plasma donation by calling Lifeblood on 13 14 95, visiting the Lifeblood website or using the Lifeblood app.
