The country's blood service is calling for eligible people to donate blood as Covid-19 restrictions and hesitancy has seen a drop in the supply of donations from the region. 

New Zealand Blood Service Donor Relations Coordinator Jan Johnson says due to Covid-19 restrictions which prevent walk-ins, they are about 50 donors shy of meeting their target over the three days they are in Hawke's Bay.

"The need for blood is constant, and because there's no substitute for blood, New Zealand relies on the generosity of everyday heroes to make sure there's enough available for those who need it.

Johnson says normally the numbers are consistently high but due to the various messages around Covid-19, people are understandably cautious.

"There is no evidence that Covid-19 is transmissible by blood transfusion, and our strict screening process means we don’t allow people who are unwell to donate blood."  

She says she finds the most common reasons as to why people are hesitant are health (don’t want to be around anyone who potentially has Covid-19), safety (unsure of our safety protocols and whether we are using PPE gear, social distancing etc), compliance (whether they are allowed to donate under current levels) and home situation (having children at home makes it harder to come into the Blood Drives). 

"A lot of people have a misconception that the hospital has a supply, of which we being a charitable organisation just topped it up - we're it and that came true when the numbers were looking quite dire."

As blood has a short shelf life of 35 days eligible individuals are asked to donate to help ensure an adequate blood supply can be maintained.

"Without us supplying hospitals, people couldn't have their treatments and trauma patients coming in after accidents wouldn't be able to be looked after because they wouldn't have the supplies there so it's absolutely essential to all New Zealanders as this could be you or your family member or friend." 

She says the plasma component is also made into products that keep people alive who have life-threatening autoimmune diseases, and cancer patients who have had chemotherapy. "There isn't anything that you could use instead so we just have to get out there and make sure people are aware." 

"And it won't be for everybody and it won't be that everybody can do it, but at the moment less than 4 per cent of people that actually can donate, do donate which is startling when you think that 96 per cent of the eligible population choose not to for whatever reason."

She says it is a "daily battle" to make sure they have enough eligible donors. "For every person that comes on board, someone will come off the other end because they've gotten to the age where they can't donate anymore so we're always having to look for more donors." 

From August, they began having two mobile blood drive teams on the road every week, coming to Napier monthly, and Hastings closer to two monthly. "Hawke's Bay looked like they had plenty of people that were very keen to support us but at the time we weren't getting the frequency," Jan says. 

The region has already delivered during a nationwide blood shortage in June/July with 163 units of blood donated by 178 donors - the highest single-day collection since 2014.

People over the age of 16 are eligible to give blood every three months. "By coming monthly, of course, it means that the same people don't donate every month but it gives them options if they miss a month, they know that we're going to be there in another month as opposed to when they used to miss a collect we weren't back again for another three." 

They are also encouraging businesses to get on board. 

How to give blood?
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all donations are by appointment only. To book visit: https://www.nzblood.co.nz/booking/?siteid=2195
Where? Napier Sailing Club: 63 West Quay, Napier. 
When? Today (November 16) through to Thursday, November 18 from 7am to 2pm. 

For more free local news head to www.hbapp.co.nz

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