With winter on the doorstep Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has observed a record demand for donations and coupled with high numbers of donors cancelling appointments, is facing a seasonal challenge in the colder months.
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To help start combating that, Orange and Dubbo health services are laying down their arms and launching their annual Red Love campaign, which is aimed at saving 1000 lives between now and November.
Almost a dozen healthcare staff will launch the campaign on Saturday morning at Orange Donor Centre, where they'll be joined by Clancy Pye, who will perform a live song she wrote to help raise awareness of the campaign called 'I Give For You'.
Red Love is one of Orange's biggest blood drives, with both health services also joined by Orange Australasian Cultural Group to once again help boost donations and, in turn, blood supplies.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood spokesperson John Feist said the organisation is grateful for the generosity of local health and community workers.
"The need for blood has not stopped despite the pandemic, in fact our need for blood plasma donations is now at a record high," he said.
"These donations are a lifeline for cancer patients, new mums, accident victims, and many other seriously ill Australians."
Saturday morning's launch kicks off at 9am.
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