Orange Australasian Cultural Group donate to Red Love in Orange Blood Drive

With donations down over the colder months, the Orange Billy Blood Drop Challenge and Red Love in Orange Blood Drive aim to keep numbers up.

Red Cross Group Account Manager Harry Ahmed said challenges like Billy Blood and Red Love can also encourage people to donate for the first time.

"During the winter season we can sometimes see regular donors cancel appointments, if they are feeling unwell, as a result of cold and flu," he said.

"We need new donors to help us during this challenging time."

The Orange Australasian Cultural Group donated together last week, taking the number of Red Love donations to 263 since May 1.

Mr Ahmed said one in three people will need blood in their lifetime, yet only 1 in 30 Australians donate each year, that equates to around 9 million Australians being eligible to give blood but only 500,000 actively doing so.

To make an appointment please call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au

DONOR DAY: Niveditha Narayana, Sharanya Selvaraj, Manivannan Selvaraju, Anu Rangaswamy, Sumitha Gounden, Karthick Sivasubramaniyan, Binu Nair, Naga Velivela and Naga Chaitanya Velivela in the chair. Photo: SUPPLIED