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‘Feel like such a hero’: The Australians who broke blood donation records
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‘Feel like such a hero’: The Australians who broke blood donation records

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Australians have broken two national blood donation records in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, after an unprecedented wave of people answered an urgent appeal to donate.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations following the attack, particularly for O-negative blood – which can be used in life-saving emergencies.
The response was immediate and overwhelming.
“In the wake of the Bondi shooting, the Australian community has broken two new national donation records,” a Lifeblood spokesperson told SBS News.
“Nearly 50,000 appointments were booked – more than double the previous record,” meaning a new daily record was set on Monday.

“A total of 7,810 donations of blood, plasma and platelets were made across the country within 24 hours,” meaning a second record was broken on Monday.

‘Our drop of blood can help’

Some Sydneysiders queued for hours to donate blood as donation centers were flooded with support.
At the City Hall donor center in Sydney, international student Soniya Lamichhane waited for hours to donate blood after hearing about the attack.

“We thought we would like to save some lives by donating some blood,” she told SBS’ The Feed. “It’s my first time donating blood in Australia.”

She said it was heartwarming to see how many people lined up to donate, adding that she was willing to wait all day if necessary.
“I am very proud of myself that I can come out here and donate some blood to the victims.

“My small act can have an impact on their lives because so many people are fighting for their lives right now… maybe our drop of blood can help someone’s life.”

Sonya was willing to wait all day to donate blood. Source: SBS news / The food

Isabeau Adamek, 27, who has O-negative blood type, said she immediately booked an appointment after being “shocked” by the attack.

“I’ve donated before… I feel like a hero when I do it,” Adamek told SBS’ The Feed.
“[Lifeblood] send you a text and they will tell you where your blood went. To do it on a day like today when supplies are clearly low and need to be replenished, it feels really good.”
She said it was “amazing” to see how many people showed up to donate.
“I took a picture outside of all the people queuing… I don’t know if they can all get in.”

“It would be good to encourage people to come in the coming weeks as well, because they will need more blood later.”

Bookings full, queues that last for hours

Many donor centers in Sydney have since been inundated with bookings.
The City Hall Donor Center in Sydney is fully booked until December 23. The pop-up donor center at Bondi Junction has no available appointments until the second week of January, while the Bondi Beach mobile donor center is fully booked until the end of January.
Despite the surge, Lifeblood is urging people to continue booking appointments in the coming weeks.

“When tragic events occur, donating blood and plasma is one way to help,” a Lifeblood spokesperson said.

“If people cannot find appointments this week, we would encourage them to book over the festive period as patients will continue to rely on blood and plasma on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.”
The organization said it especially encourages people with O-negative blood to donate, as this is the universal blood type and the only one that can be safely given to all patients in an emergency.

Only 7 percent of Australians have O-negative blood.

Mourners pay their respects at a vigil with flowers and candles in Bondi Beach

Mourners attend a wake at a memorial in Bondi Beach, Sydney. Source: MONKEY / Bianca de Marchi

‘Blood cannot be stored’

However, Lifeblood emphasized that donations from all blood types are needed, and that support must continue well beyond the immediate response.
“Blood cannot be stored,” the Lifeblood spokesperson said.
“In addition to shelf life, Lifeblood requires 33,000 donations per week to meet Australia’s demand for blood and blood products.”
In the event of a major trauma or emergency, up to 100 donations may be needed to save one life.

Blood products are also being transferred from multiple states to support demand in NSW.

People can donate even if they don’t know their blood type, and those who don’t qualify for whole blood donation may still be able to donate plasma.
“Blood and plasma are both incredibly important in emergency situations,” Lifeblood said.
“We don’t know exactly how it is used in this case, but hospitals use blood and plasma to help people during surgery or after major trauma.”
— With additional reporting by Elfy Scott and The Feed.

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