Blood donation pop-up in Geraldton to be trialled in 2024 after Red Cross donation centre closed in 2012

Concerns regarding access to a blood donation centre have been eased with the announcement of a mobile blood bank which will come Geraldton as one of the first locations in its regional tour.

The city’s Red Cross branch, which once held donation sessions, closed 11 years ago, and since then requests for an alternative option have been consistent.

Following a nationwide review of the existing donor centre network, Red Cross, now known as Lifeblood, will expand its current WA network of nine donor locations by trialling a WA pop-up donor centre.

Pop-up donor centres are mobile donor facilities that operate from a local venue, such as a community hall, and are set up and packed down for each visit.

Each site is expected to provide an additional 40 donations per day.

While details for the WA pop-up donor centre trial are still being finalised, the regions are a focus, putting Geraldton and Kalgoorlie as two of the first locations to benefit from the service once the trial starts in the second half of 2024.

Lifeblood executive director of donor experience Cath Stone said with demand for blood and plasma continuing to increase, expanding Lifeblood’s WA donor centre network would help increase donations across the country.

“Demand for blood is at the highest level in a decade, and plasma demand is at its highest level ever,” she said.

“We know regional WA in particular has limited opportunities to donate blood, so we’re excited to be able to give more Western Australians a chance to contribute to the nation’s blood supply and to the wider Australian community.”

The location of pop-up visits is based on a number of factors including proximity to our processing centres, population size, estimated donation rate, suitable venue availability, access to regional communities and availability of qualified staff.

Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton was involved in discussions with Lifeblood about the possibility of reintroducing a donation centre to meet the growing number of enthusiastic donors.

Ms Dalton herself gives blood regularly as part of her treatment for hemochromatosis, and said the trial was a welcome addition to the community.

“We’ve been liaising with Lifeblood for about a year, and communicating our interest to have a centre,” she said.

“I think this is a great opportunity for everyone to get behind it and show their support now, and show how much we’re willing to give back.”