If your New Year's resolution for 2019 was to give blood, there's still time to do so.
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The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood mobile donor centre will be in Cessnock on the last two days of the year.
Lifeblood spokesperson Brian Bruce said 297 blood donors are needed in the Hunter Valley between December 16 and January 6 to prevent a possible shortage of blood stocks vital to the treatment of cancer patients.
"With many people taking time off this holiday season, we need those who can to step up and be a life-changing 'Secret Santa' to Australian patients in need, ensuring no one misses out on receiving this incredible gift," Mr Bruce said.
"If Secret Santa is about giving anonymous gifts designed to make someone's day, then blood donation really is Australia's ultimate Secret Santa exchange."
Blood will be needed by road accident patients, pregnant women, cancer patients and even premature babies every day over Christmas and New Year.
Mr Bruce said stocks of platelets, a blood component vital to the treatment of cancer patients, were particularly at risk during the holiday period.
"It takes four blood donations to make just one bag of platelets for patients and they only last for five days so donors are constantly needed to ensure cancer patients get this vital product," he said.
The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood mobile donor centre will be in Charlton Street, Cessnock (near the Reject Shop) on Monday, December 30 and Tuesday, December 31 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
It will return to Cessnock from February 17 to 20.
Call 13 14 95 or visit lifeblood.com.au to make an appointment.
