Sydneysiders ready to roll up their sleeves in response to an urgent plea to give blood after the Bondi shooting have smashed two national donation records, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood said.
About 50,000 new appointments were made – double the previous record – and almost 8000 donations were taken at Lifeblood centres across the city on Monday.
Blood donors queue outside the Town Hall Lifeblood centre in Sydney’s city centre on Monday. Credit: Steven Siewert
Lifeblood said a busy day, such as during a Christmas appeal, would typically result in about 10,000 new appointments.
“We got to see the good side of people yesterday,” Lifeblood spokeswoman Jemma Falkenmire said.
Some donors skipped work to line up for as long as four hours, others who couldn’t offer blood turned up at centres to make milkshakes and hand out snacks.
While their website “crashed by kindness” yesterday, Lifeblood is now asking people to book ahead to continue replenishing blood supplies.
Blood, platelets, and plasma are needed to continue treating victims of the Bondi shooting as well as in preparation for the Christmas season.
To make an appointment, go to the Lifeblood app or website, or call 13 14 95.