Only an hour is needed this festive season to make a late play for Santa’s nice list.
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The Australian Red Cross Blood Service hopes people will take time out from Christmas preparations to donate blood and plasma at the Albury centre in David Street.
This building will receive its own Christmas present soon through a $1.1 million refurbishment due to start in January.
During the six-week makeover, Albury blood donations will be collected in mobile blood units set up in the SS&A Club car park between January 19 and March 2.
Blood service southern NSW area manager Ron Halse said the upgraded centre would offer the same capacity but with a more open and modern floor plan.
“Albury’s (service has) been here for approximately 10 years so we do like to keep refreshing donor centres around the country,” he said.
“Albury’s turn has come as have a couple of other donor centres around the country, it’s just a cycle we go through.
“As our requirements for product increase, we hope to expand even further.”
The blood donor centre is seeking 385 blood donations during December to prevent a shortage of blood products that assist the treatment of cancer and trauma patients.
Albury community relations manager Cathy Chapman said the centre had seen a steady increase in donors over the past few years but the holiday period could affect numbers.
“We’re just asking a few extra people to take a break from shopping,” she said.
“We’re all trying to cross off the gift list and what’s better than the gift of life?
“And it doesn’t cost you anything other than a little bit of your time to come and give that to somebody.”
Ms Chapman said donating took about an hour, including the paperwork and interview beforehand, with every donation potentially saving three lives.
“We can all take time out to give somebody else’s family a very special Christmas that they might not have otherwise,” she said.
Albury’s Gerry Senf, who gave his 149th donation on Thursday, makes his visits a priority, even on special occasions.
“I’m coming in on my birthday next,” he said.
“If it helps somebody, it helps.”
Plasma donations did take a little longer, but weren’t an inconvenience.
“Three-quarters of an hour out of your life, it’s nothing,” Mr Senf said.