Forty-two thousand donors are needed from the Hunter each year but not enough people are rolling up their sleeve. For the second time this year The Red Cross blood service has launched a national appeal . . .

Hunter blood donations are falling more than 100 shy of the required rate each week, leaving the national blood supply heavily depleted for all blood groups.

More than 800 donations are needed but only 685 on average are received.

If the number of donations does not increase, hospitals will need to start rationing red cell units, heightening the possibility of elective surgery being deferred.

Blood donor mobile bus nurse unit manager Donna Treseder, who has worked on the bus for more than six years, says the winter flu has been particularly unkind this year to some of their regular donors.

“The need for blood is so high, and we have been really struggling lately.

“We like to see 60 a day on the bus, but have only been seeing around 45.”

She says 80 per cent of people will need blood or blood products in their life, making the donation all that more important.

And it is the reason why Belmont resident Brian Gervasoni has donated twice this year already, his eighth donation in total.

“I thought one day I might blood, so I thought I’d do my bit now.”

With Mr Gervasoni’s eighth donations, he has now saved 24 people.

To organise an appointment or to find out when the mobile bus will be in your area phone 13 14 95 or go to the website www.donateblood.com.au

The facts on blood donations

Who can give blood and where does it go?

>> Almost anyone between the ages of 16 and 70 can donate blood. You need to be fit and healthy and weigh more than 45 kilograms, or more than 50kgs if you are under 18.

>>People, who lived in the UK between 1980 and 1996 for more than six months, are ineligible.

>>The 470mL donation rarely takes more than an hour.

The donation goes to a wide range of candidates:

>> 30 per cent of blood collected goes to patients battling cancer

>> 15pc helps people with heart disease

>> 15pc goes to people with stomach and bowel disease

>> 12pc assists trauma and accident victims

>> 5pc helps babies and pregnant women