Lifeblood requires an extra 3000 people to donate as cancellation of appointments and no-shows rise.

Executive director of donor services, Cath Stone admitted half of the blood donation appointments were not being attended, as the demand of blood to be used in hospitals reached its highest point in a decade.

"Our donors have shown us incredible support over the last two years, however as life moves to COVID-normal, it's important that people continue to donate to help ensure hospitals can continue to treat patients," she said.

"There is no alternative for patients in need of blood and we'd like to remind donors, and anyone who has thought about becoming a donor, just how critical they are."

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Lifeblood is particularly asking for anyone with O negative blood to come forward and donate after the number of O negative donors has fallen. O negative is the universal blood type which can be given to anyone in an emergency when there is not time to find out their blood type.

Ms Stone is hopeful the number of O negative donors would increase due to the the demand for the blood in hospitals.

"Only nine per cent of Australians have O negative blood, but it makes up 16 per cent of orders from hospitals because it saves lives in emergencies," she said.

"We currently have 1,000 fewer active O negative donors than we did over a year ago and we would particularly like to welcome those previous donors back to our donor centres."

Call 13 14 95 to make an appointment.

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