Almost 900 Illawarra blood donors are needed this festive season as part of Australia's Biggest Secret Santa.
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In exchange for their lifesaving gift, donors at Australia Red Cross Lifeblood's Wollongong donation centre will receive a card to give to a loved one letting them know they gave blood on their behalf.
Lifeblood spokeswoman Megan Green said 895 donors were needed at the centre between December 16 and January 6 to prevent a shortage of blood stocks.
Blood will be needed by road accident patients, pregnant mums, cancer patients and premature babies every day over Christmas and New Year.
"So many of our regular donors take time off during the holiday season, and this year with the fires down south many people are busy protecting their homes and their communities," she said.
"Unfortunately treatment for cancer patients doesn't stop, and with more accidents over the holidays we also need blood stocks for trauma patients.
"So we're asking those who can to step up and take part in our life-saving Secret Santa."
So many of our regular donors take time off during the holiday season ... unfortunately treatment for cancer patients doesn't stop.
- Megan Green, Lifeblood spokeswoman
This week, Dapto resident Daniel Lannoy was one of the regular donors rolling up their sleeves to help out.
The 23-year-old has just completed a Bachelor of Public Health at the University of Wollongong, and hopes to pursue a career in health promotion.
"I've been donating for the past three years, since I started studying public health," he said. "I know there can be shortages over the holidays so wanted to do my bit.
"It's easy to do, it doesn't take a lot of time and it doesn't hurt - and you're saving three lives each time."
Ms Green said stocks of platelets, a blood component vital to the treatment of cancer patients, were particularly at risk.
"It takes four blood donations to make just one bag of platelets for patients and they only last for five days so donors are constantly needed to ensure cancer patients get this vital product," she said.
Over the holiday period, Wollongong donation centre is open on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve. It is closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
To make an appointment call 13 14 95 or visit lifeblood.com.au
