Chocolate lovers have a genuine excuse to treat themselves to another Easter egg if they donate blood at a Lifeblood donor centre this Easter. Lismore's Lifeblood donor centre is on Bountry Street. 

People burn around 500 calories from a blood or plasma donation as the body uses energy to replace the donation. 

Lifeblood Executive Director of Donor Services, Cath Stone, said that’s the equivalent of approximately 12 mini Easter eggs. 

“While this may be good news for your tastebuds, it is even better news for the thousands of Australians who need your blood over the Easter period,” Ms Stone said. 

“Easter is traditionally a quieter time in our donor centres because people take the opportunity to go on holiday, but the need for blood does not stop. 

“Lifeblood requires 5,300 people with an hour to spare to fill the donation chairs to meet the demand for blood and blood products. Existing and new donors are welcome, and right now we’re particularly looking for people with O negative type blood,” Ms Stone said.

Thousands of people will need blood this Easter, including trauma and emergency patients, women in childbirth and people being treated for cancer. One donation can save up to three lives.  

If saving lives and enjoying more Easter eggs are not incentive enough, a study of Australian blood donors found giving blood also boosts your mood. 

“Our researchers found most donors felt less stress and more joy as they progressed through their donation,” Ms Stone said.  

“You can now even book an appointment for yourself and a friend at the same time and the same centre on the Lifeblood DonateBlood app. Catch up, feel the benefits of blood and plasma donation, and save lives together!”

Lifeblood has a record 46 donor centres open throughout Australia on Good Friday. To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the DonateBlood app.

NSW needs 2000 blood donations from Good Friday to Easter Monday. If you have a spare hour over the Easter break book into the Lismore Lifeblood donor centre now at Level 1/26 Bounty Street.