Australian Red Cross urges blood donation amid supply fall

SYDNEY, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Australia's supply of O-Negative blood has fallen to just two days' supply.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is urging those with O-Negative blood to donate, as cold and flu symptoms wipe out up to 1,000 donors a day, placing a strain on those who are already donating.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service spokesman Shaun Inguanzo said it was time for new donors to come forward.

"O-Negative is the universal type given to patients in emergency situations, when their blood type is unknown," he said.

"Australian patients need around 500 O-Negative donations a day to survive these situations."

Inguanzo noted maintaining O-Negative supplies during winter was a seasonal challenge for the Blood Service.

"The number of people suffering cold and flu symptoms increases, limiting the number of regular donors who are able to give," he said.

"Around the country, we are seeing as many as 1,000 people cancel their appointments every day, almost half of them due to illness."