Want to donate blood after Bondi attacks? Here’s what you need to know |
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s website and call centre have been inundated with people responding to calls for blood donations since Sunday night’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
At least 16 people are dead and 38 others are in hospital in Sydney after two gunmen opened fire on crowds celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
On Sunday evening, Lifeblood issued several large life-threatening orders for type O blood to hospitals in Sydney and urged people – especially those with type O-negative blood – to donate.
On Monday morning, New South Wales premier Chris Minns encouraged those wanting to help to contact Lifeblood. By 1pm on Monday, more than 20,000 people had contacted Lifeblood to donate blood – a response not seen since the Black Saturday bushfires.
But the surge of interest can put a strain on services, especially when people turn up with no appointment or without checking eligibility.
There will continue to be an urgent need for blood in the days and weeks ahead. If you want to donate, here’s what to know.
Serious incidents such as the mass shooting in........