Blood and plasma donors are urgently needed as Lifeblood WA’s reserves hit their lowest level in almost a decade.
The Edgewater donor centre is the only permanent blood donation point in the northern suburbs and needs 250 donations of blood and 240 donations of plasma before the end of October.
Pop-up donor centres also visit Butler and Scarborough periodically.
Lifeblood director Jessica Willet said blood donations had dropped by 60 per cent since June due to a prolonged cold and flu season.
“We’ve certainly been seeing that impacting appointments and the ability for people to come in and donate blood, which had a really significant impact on our reserves. That’s why we’ve had to launch that critical appeal this week,” she said.
“And our donors in the northern corridor of Perth are not immune to that.”
The Northern Suburbs Weekly visited the Edgewater centre and met with Tracey Fickling and John Lovett, one of the few regular donors who were still able to donate.
Ms Willet said time was the biggest barrier preventing people from donating blood.
“It does take an hour of your time and when we’re time-poor, it’s difficult for people to find the time,” she said.
“But we all expect blood to be there if we need it, so everyone essentially relies on people making that time.”
A single whole blood donation can save up to three lives by separating blood components into three groups: red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
“The red cell component of blood is often used in trauma emergencies, for mothers during childbirth and for people with bleeding disorders that often need red blood cells monthly just to live, meaning they rely on regular donations,” Ms Willet said.
“There is also plasma, which can be used to make 18 life-saving products, and that helps people with immune deficiencies, burn victims and can be used for preventative medicines and vaccinations.
“Then there are platelets, which are critical to helping your blood clot and are regularly used by cancer patients during chemotherapy.”
One of those people who relied on regular blood and plasma donations was five-year-old Stirling resident Ruben Earl, who was diagnosed with DADA2.
Since his death in 2025, his parents Tiarn Brandis and Ben Earl have started the Roll Up For Ruben campaign to encourage blood and plasma donations.
Ms Brandis said no one knows when a loved one might need blood.
“When we were in hospital with Ruben, we often had to wait hours and hours, and there’s nothing worse than sitting there waiting for something lifesaving for your child,” she said.
“So I just encourage everybody if they’ve got an hour of their day to roll up their sleeve and help save a life. There’s nothing better than walking out of a blood centre knowing you’ve saved a life or three.”
Blood donations can be booked through the Lifeblood app, by calling 13 14 95 or by visiting lifeblood.com.au.