Giving blood may not cure the 106,000 people who are diagnosed with cancer in Australia every year, but it does make a difference. And the more blood donations, the more people helped as every blood donation helps to save three lives.

“The vast majority of donated blood goes to help people with cancer and blood diseases and with more than 100,000 people diagnosed with cancer each year, giving blood is a practical way to help,” Australian Red Cross Blood Service national operations manager Pip Hetzel said.

All three components of blood; red cells, plasma and platelets, are used in the treatment of cancer and blood disorders.

Some people with cancer will need a blood transfusion because the cancer and its treatment affect the body’s ability to produce adequate numbers of red cells, platelets and white cells. Other patients may require transfusions during surgical procedures and those with blood disorders may need products made from plasma to help their blood clot and strengthen their ability to fight infection.

“Donating blood is a practical and direct way of assisting people with cancer,” Cancer Council Australia chief executive officer Ian Olver said.

“It is critical there are adequate supplies of blood for transfusions which can be part of treatment and help improve a person’s quality of life, so we encourage people to give blood regularly.”

Due to regular donors coming down with colds and flus, Australia needs more than 40,000 new donors over winter and until the end of September to ensure that there is enough blood and blood products to help people in need.

Do something special this winter. Give blood at the Dubbo Blood Donor Centre. Phone 6884 8531 or call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au to make an appointment.

The next mobile blood bank visit to Wellington is on September 17 and 18.