The Red Cross blood service is calling on people with the rare O-negative blood type to donate after reserves reached their lowest point this year.
Red Cross spokeswoman Helen Walsh says many regular donors are still recovering from the cold and flu, causing O-negative reserves to fall to less than two days’ supply.
Over the next fortnight the blood service is calling on 5000 people to donate to meet hospital demand, and people with O-negative blood are asked to encourage family and friends to donate alongside them.