Liquid gold needed for Power Plasma Week on the Coffs Coast Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - May 14, 2021 From back left Lifeblood’s Jenny Houlcroft, Jacqui Mort, Lana Harris, Vikki Fogarty and Michelle Perks. From front left Elizabeth Courtenay, Julia Sutton, Jessica Sutton and Cassandra Richardson in front ready for the Big Banana to light up for plasma. DID you know plasma is yellow, known as liquid gold, and the Coffs Coast has a shortage? To highlight the need and encourage donations The Big Banana will be lit up in yellow on the evening of Sunday May 16 to signify plasma and the start of Power Plasma Week. There is a critical need for donations currently and Lifeblood is hoping that donors on the Coffs Coast will increase. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Around Australia there are thirty one thousand donors needed every week, yet only three per cent of the Coffs Harbour community regularly donate blood. Lifeblood is hoping to turn this around and is urging more locals to roll up their sleeves and donate plasma particularly. Plasma is considered the ‘liquid gold’ part of blood not only because of its golden colour but also for the growing list of patients it is able to help. “Plasma and its many treatments are used to treat shock and burns, fight infectious diseases, prevent blood clots, and stop critical bleeding – often in emergency situations,” said Lifeblood spokesperson Ruth Harrison. One problem Lifeblood has faced is a large portion of donor cancellations with around a third of all donors cancelling their blood donation appointment at the last minute or not able to make it. This has left hundreds of couches empty, and meeting hospital orders has been a challenge for Lifeblood, with demand up seven per cent. “We’d like to thank everyone who has taken time to donate during the pandemic, but with hospitals needing more blood, a steady flow of donors every day at our Coffs Harbour donor centre is vital,” said Miss Harrison. By Sandra MOON Plasma Power Week promotes the ongoing importance of the need for plasma donations.
