‘Overwhelming response’: Lifeblood Australia still urgently calling for donations after Bondi terror attacks as 50k donate
The bondi beach terror attack resulted in a record number of blood donations across the country. However, as we enter the new year, only one question arises: Do we have enough stores to meet the demand?
Last year, blood donation records were shattered after the country came to a standstill on December 14 when two alleged gunmen opened fire at Bondi’s Hanukah By The Sea event, killing 15 innocent people.
41 people, including four children, were injured and taken to various hospitals in Sydney.
While that day’s event revealed the worst of humanity, the best of Australia was also on display in the weeks that followed.
Lifeblood Australia reported record-breaking donations in the weeks that followed; More than 5,000 people donated blood for the first time after the massacre.
“We’ve had an overwhelming response from the community and want to thank everyone who donated in the days and weeks after the Bondi attacks,” Lifeblood Donor Experience Executive Director Cath Stone told NewsWire.
“In the week following the attacks, nearly 50,000 people across the country donated blood and plasma, helping to replenish blood supplies used to support Bondi patients, while more than 120,000 people made future appointments.”
Lifeblood typically collects about 33,000 donations each week and around 65,000 appointments in a typical week.
But many more Australians need to roll up their sleeves to meet demand; staggering statistics reveal that one in three people will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, but only one in 30 people currently donate.
This means Lifeblood needs 100,000 new donors each year to meet the growing demand for blood and plasma in Australia.
Ms Stone said it was great to see continued support throughout the holiday season, which is often a challenging time for fundraising.
“We encourage people who have donated for the first time or for the first time in a while to come back and continue donating in 2026 and beyond,” he said.
“The demand for blood and blood products never stops, with a donation needed every 18 seconds in Australia. Donated blood goes to cancer patients, people living with immune problems and blood disorders, people in the operating room, women in labor and many more.
“The start of a new year is often a time of reflection and change, so why not start 2026 on a positive note by donating blood? It’s quick and easy and a single blood donation can save up to three lives.”
For those unsure if they are eligible to donate blood, the easiest thing to do is take a quick eligibility test on the Lifeblood website.
