Launceston residents are being urged to give blood with demand expected to significantly increase over the festive period.
The Australian Islamic Medical Association will be holding a blood drive from 1-3pm tomorrow at the Launceston Mosque at 18 Kay Street in Kings Meadows.
Launceston General Hospital haematologist Dr Muhajir Mohamed said each donation can save at least three lives.
“The red cells in blood can be separate from the plasma and platelets, which can be used for different situations,” Dr Mohamed said.
All blood groups are welcome, but the greatest demand is for types O and A which are most common among the population.
According to Lifeblood, just three per cent of Australians donate blood each year. The demand for blood far outpaces supply.
Dr Mohamed said there’s no such thing as being too old to donate. Certain diseases are also not a problem.
People can check their eligibility to donate with the Red Cross.
Dr Mohamed is President of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Islamic Medical Association, who are promoting blood donations around the country.
“We wanted to do something like that in Tasmania before the holiday season,” he said.
