Australians have broken two national blood donation records in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, after an unprecedented surge in people answering an urgent call to donate.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood issued an emergency appeal for blood donations following the attack, particularly for O-negative blood — which can be used in life-saving emergency situations.
The response was immediate and overwhelming.
"In the wake of the Bondi shooting, the Australian community has broken two new national donation records," a Lifeblood spokesperson told SBS News.
"Close to 50,000 appointments were booked — more than double the previous record," meaning a new daily record was set on Monday.
"A total of 7,810 donations of blood, plasma, and platelets were made across the country in 24 hours," meaning Monday saw a second record smashed.
'Our drop of blood can help'
Some Sydneysiders lined up for hours to donate blood, as donation centres have been inundated with support.
At Sydney's Town Hall donor centre, international student Soniya Lamichhane waited for hours to donate blood after hearing about the attack.
"We thought we'd like to save some lives by donating some blood," she told SBS' The Feed. "It's my first time giving blood in Australia."
She said it was heartwarming to see how many people were lining up to donate, adding she was willing to wait the entire day if needed.
"I feel very proud of myself that I'm able to stand up here and donate some blood to victims.
"My small act can impact their life because so many people are fighting for their life at the moment ... maybe our drop of blood can help someone's life."
Soniya was willing to wait the entire day to donate blood. Source: SBS News / The Feed
"I've donated before ... I feel like such a hero when I do it," Adamek told SBS' The Feed.
"[Lifeblood] send you a little text message and they'll say where your blood's gone. To do it on a day like today, where obviously the supplies have been used up and they need to refill, it feels really good."
She said it was "amazing" to see how many people had turned up to donate.
"I took a photo outside of all the people lined up ... I don't know if they're all going to be able to make it in."
"It would be good to encourage people to come in the following weeks as well, because they're going to need more blood later on."
Bookings full, queues for hours
Many donor centres across Sydney have since been inundated with bookings.
Sydney's Town Hall donor centre is booked until 23 December. The pop-up donor centre at Bondi Junction has no available appointments until the second week of January, while the Bondi Beach mobile donor centre is fully booked until the end of January.
Despite the surge, Lifeblood is urging people to keep booking appointments in the weeks ahead.
"When tragic events occur, donating blood and plasma is one way to help," a Lifeblood spokesperson said.
"If people cannot find appointments this week, we encourage them to book through the festive season as patients will continue to rely on blood and plasma on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day."
The organisation said it is particularly encouraging people with O-negative blood to donate, as it is the universal blood type and the only one that can safely be given to all patients in an emergency.
Only 7 per cent of Australians have O-negative blood.
Mourners attend a vigil at a memorial in Bondi Beach, Sydney. Source: AAP / Bianca de Marchi
'Blood cannot be stockpiled'
However, Lifeblood stressed that donations of all blood types are needed, and that support must continue well beyond the immediate response.
"Blood cannot be stockpiled," the Lifeblood spokesperson said.
"Along with having a shelf life, Lifeblood needs 33,000 donations a week to keep up with Australia’s demand for blood and blood products."
In the event of a serious trauma event or emergency, up to 100 donations may be needed to save a single life.
Blood products are also being transferred from multiple states to help support demand in NSW.
People can donate even if they don't know their blood type, and those who are ineligible for whole blood donation may still be able to donate plasma.
"Blood and plasma are both incredibly important in emergency situations," Lifeblood said.
"We wouldn’t know exactly how it is being used in this event, but hospitals use blood and plasma in helping people in surgery, or after major trauma."
— With additional reporting by Elfy Scott and The Feed.
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