The New Zealand Blood Service is holding the first ever National Blood Donor Week, as part of a drive to stem the flow of dwindling blood supplies, particularly as blood can only be stored for 35 days.
"Having a week gives new donors, who are maybe seeing a bit more activity online, the chance to think this is something I'd love to do," Dunedin Blood Donation Centre Donor Relations Coordinator Lynn Rodeka said.
The NZBS says nearly 38,000 new donors are needed across the country over the next 12 months to keep up with the increasing demand for blood and plasma.
Two first-time donors, and one returning to giving blood after a number of years, were at the Dunedin Blood Donation Centre on Wednesday.
John Guthrie (70) is part of the Mana Rangitahi programme run in conjunction with INNOV8HQ and had reservations about donating for the first time.
"What goes through your mind is 70-year-old blood, do they want that?
"But [they do want it] the process is cool, so I'm happy to be doing it," he said.
One of the rangatahi going through the Mana Rangatahi programme is Georgia Cleaver, who's at the other end of the age spectrum to Mr Guthrie, but was also a first time donor.
"I understand the need to have blood on hand, and the need to gove back to the community," Ms Cleaver said.
National Blood Donor Week runs until June 19.
