Australia is facing a critical shortage of a lifesaving resource, and it’s not something you can pick up at the shops or order online.
The nation’s reserves of O-type blood—both O-negative and O-positive—have dropped to dangerously low levels, prompting the Red Cross to issue an urgent call for help.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your blood type could make a difference, now is the time to find out.
Why O-type blood is so vital
O-type blood is the unsung hero of emergency medicine. O-negative, in particular, is known as the ‘universal donor’ because it can be safely given to anyone in a crisis, regardless of their blood type.
This makes it the go-to blood type for paramedics, rescue helicopters, and emergency rooms when there’s no time to check a patient’s blood group.
Only about 7 per cent of Australians have O-negative blood, but it accounts for a whopping 16 per cent of all blood used in hospitals.
But here’s something you might not know: O-positive blood is also incredibly valuable in emergencies.
While it’s not quite as universal as O-negative, it’s still safe for most people and is used in a large number of transfusions.
With around 40 per cent of Australians having O-positive blood, there’s a huge potential donor pool—if people are willing to roll up their sleeves.
The current crisis: Why are supplies so low?
According to Stuart Chesneau, executive director of Red Cross Lifeblood, the situation is urgent.
‘Every day, we issue close to 10,000 blood transfusions and medications to hospitals around the country to meet patient demand, and we can’t do it without people donating,’ he says.
Unfortunately, the Red Cross is seeing the highest rates of appointment cancellations and rescheduling since June last year.
The result? O-type blood supplies are at their lowest point since October 2023. To stabilise the situation, Lifeblood needs an extra 9500 donations in the next week alone.
Who can donate? (Hint: probably you!)
You might be surprised to learn that 57 per cent of Australians are eligible to give blood, but only 3 per cent do so regularly.
That’s a huge gap—and a huge opportunity. If you’re healthy, over 18, and meet the basic eligibility criteria, you could be the difference between life and death for someone in need.
Donating blood is quick, safe, and relatively painless. Most people say it’s over before they know it, and you get a free snack at the end (who doesn’t love a biscuit and a cuppa?).
More importantly, your donation could help save up to three lives.
Why people aren’t donating—and how you can help
There are lots of reasons people put off donating blood: busy schedules, fear of needles, or simply not realising how urgent the need is.
But with the current shortage, every donation counts more than ever. If you’ve donated before, consider making another appointment. If you’ve never donated, now is the perfect time to start.
And if you’re not eligible to donate, you can still help by spreading the word. Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to check their eligibility and book an appointment.
The more people who know about the shortage, the better chance we have of turning things around.
How to donate
Making an appointment is easy. Visit the Red Cross Lifeblood website or call 13 14 95 to find your nearest donation centre and book a time that suits you.
The process is straightforward, and the staff are friendly and supportive every step of the way.
Your community needs you
Blood donation is one of the simplest, most direct ways you can make a real difference in someone’s life.
Whether you’re O-negative, O-positive, or any other blood type, your contribution is vital. Remember, emergencies don’t wait—and neither can we.
Have you donated blood before? Are you a regular donor, or is this your first time hearing about the O-type shortage? We’d love to hear your stories, tips, and questions in the comments below. Let’s support each other and help keep Australia’s blood supply strong!
Also read: Australian scientists unveil blood test to spot ovarian cancer early
I used to donate blood many years ago. I am common, O+. However since then I found out that I had the blood disorder Leiden Factor 5 and due to the disorder and the medications etc I am ineligible to donate.