As Australia's ethnic population grows, the need for diverse and rare blood types increases.
And the Red Cross is urging people from all ethnic backgrounds to come forward and donate blood today (Friday June 14), the 10th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day.
Australian Red Cross Blood Service spokesperson Shaun Inguanzo said that with one migrant arriving in Australia every few minutes, the Red Cross needed to ensure that they had a sufficient reserve of the right blood type.
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“We have seen an increase in the need for rare blood that is found only in donors with diverse ethnic backgrounds, particularly with African or Polynesian ancestry,” Mr Inguanzo said.
For example, around one per cent of Polynesians are unable to receive common blood types due to the lack of an antigen in their blood.
And it's estimated that between 30 to 80 per cent of African people have developed a resistance to malaria, making it difficult to provide them with anything other than a specific blood type from their own communities.
Australian Multicultural Foundation's Director Dr Hass Dellal said although most ethnic communities were happy to take part in various campaigns, and have done so in the past, many were left unaware of blood donation campaigns due to language barriers.
"It's important to make ethnic people aware of these campaigns by utilising ethnic media and services such as SBS Radio to target them in their own language and that will give a greater awareness of what is needed," Dr Dellal.
"The Red Cross needs to identify community leaders and to engage with them in order to develop an ongoing partnership.
"We can't just advertise campaigns in mainstream media because that will be a missed opportunity to get community groups on board."
The Red Cross has also said that it was in urgent need of the universal 0 Negative blood type due to a recent increase in demand.
0 Negative is the only type that can be used in an emergency situation regardless of the patient's own blood type.
To donate call 13 14 95 or visit the Australian Red Cross Blood Service website to make an appointment online.
