While much of the country is looking forward to time off this Christmas, demand for blood and plasma donations never takes a break. It’s why dozens of people lined up in Canberra’s CBD for a ‘bloody long day’ designed to boost supplies over the holidays.
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00:00This Christmas gift is priceless, and it doesn't cost a thing.
00:07I just know that wherever my blood goes, it will help somebody.
00:11This time two years ago, that somebody was Dhruvin Rajesh, who woke up with pins and
00:17needles in his feet just days after moving to Australia.
00:21I found that I was unable to walk, so I got rushed to the hospital and they found out
00:27that I have GBS, or Guillain-Barré syndrome.
00:30The rare autoimmune disease attacks the body's nervous system, but it can be treated by plasma.
00:36It suppresses the altered immune response from the body and helps the nerves recover.
00:43Today, more than 100 people rolled up their sleeves in Civic for a 12-hour donation blitz,
00:49more than doubling the usual daily donation quota.
00:52It's the season of giving, and I want to give back to the community however way I can.
00:59The blood collected today will go to help patients undergoing treatment for cancer,
01:05road trauma, mums during childbirth, those with autoimmune diseases and so many more.
01:12The Red Cross Lifeblood Service is hoping today's push will bolster blood and plasma
01:17stocks over the holidays, which are relied on by more than 250 Canberrans a day.
01:23This time of year is historically quieter for donations, but there were a few extra
01:28incentives, thanks to Canberra's multicultural community for it.
01:33Currently, the demand for blood is the highest it's been in the last 12 years.
01:38We've seen an increase of donors, but the demand for blood has surpassed that.
01:44Every number is a person, and they deserve to live a healthy life.
01:50And that is surely the greatest gift of all.