THE Dubbo Donor Centre are urging Dubbo residents to make the most critical secret Santa exchange this Christmas with a blood donation.
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Dubbo Donor Centre is one of NSW most poorly-booked sites this Christmas.
More than 140 Dubbo blood donors are needed this festive season, in order to prevent a shortage of blood stocks between December 22, 2014 and January 3, 2015.
Blood Service spokesperson Erin Clarke urged locals to give blood and give the gift of life this Christmas.
"If secret Santa is the anonymous giving of gifts designed to make people's day then blood donation must surely be Australia's ultimate secret Santa exchange," she said.
"Blood will be needed every day this month by road trauma patients, pregnant mums, cancer patients and premature babies.
"With so many people likely to be away on holidays, we need others to step forward and be an Australian patient's secret Santa' to ensure no one misses out on receiving that special gift."
Stocks of platelets, a blood component vital to the treatment of cancer patients, were particularly at risk during this period, Ms Clarke said.
Platelets only last for five days and so donors are constantly needed, she said.
"Your donation will be one of 27,000 blood gifts given to Australian patients this Christmas - and will have a far reaching impact on the lives you save, and the lives of their loved ones," Ms Clarke said.
"So this Christmas we're urging Dubbo people to take part in the Australia's lifesaving secret Santa exchange by making an appointment to give blood between December 22, 2014 and January 3, 2015."
The blood donor centre will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
To make an appointment to give blood, call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au.
