IT may be a public holiday but the demand for blood products does not end on Easter Monday.
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service has asked for 1300 people to give blood on Easter Monday to prevent a shortage of products vital for the treatment of cancer patients, a spokesman said.
Of these 1300 donations, one third need to come from Sydney blood donor centres, including the Miranda centre.
"Platelets stop cancer patients from suffering an internal bleed, but the problem is they're our shortest-lived product at just five days, and so we need a continual supply," the spokesman said.
As well as cancer patients undergoing vital treatment, the blood products will be used for the inevitable victims of road trauma during the Easter long weekend.
A single donation could help save three lives.
"Cancer treatment, emergency surgery, road trauma and bleeding during childbirth are some of the most common uses for donated blood in Australia."
Residents are urged to head to The Shire Donor Centre, 29 Kiora Road, Miranda, on Monday (8am until 2.30pm).
