As we heard earlier this week, 22 Lifeblood Donor Centres were forced to close because of the effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Scott Morrison, Group Account Relationship Manager, was joined by Australian Red Cross CEO Andrew Colvin and Federal member for page Kevin Hogan is launching a national Cyclone Alfred blood appeal to try and urgently restock blood and plasma supplies.

As is often the case with the Lismore Donor Centre on Bounty Street, yesterday was booked out after only reopening on Monday.

"Here at Lismore, we've been open for two days, and today we are fully booked," stated Scott Morrison, "And if Lismore residents can open their doors and roll up their sleeves, the rest of Australia can as well.

"It's not just for this week, it's for the next several weeks. We do need to catch up about 6000 donations. So 1000 donations a day are needed to urgently boost the National Blood stock of blood and plasma products."

"34% of our blood products and plasma go towards cancer patients. So we all know someone who's been touched by cancer these days, throughout any of their treatment, they are using a significant amount of our blood products there.

"Also, you have maternity wards, mothers giving birth, you have accident emergency, trauma, and also elective surgeries for daily managed operations of a normal hospital scenario throughout our national healthcare system. Blood and blood products, plasma and platelets, are vital part of the network system to keep Australia healthy, well and safe."

Kevin Hogan said, "So I know many of you have donated blood in the past, I know many wonderful people who do that. We all certainly know people whose lives have literally been saved because of the blood supplies that we collect through Red Cross centers. So, if you're thinking about it, if you're thinking you might have some time over the next day or in the next week or so, please come in and donate blood. It's going to make a big difference to the 1000 a day that we are short, and don't forget you get a free snack, and you get a drink. It's all worthwhile."

(Helen will not only greet you with a smile, she will make you a milkshake of your choice)

Andrew Colvin said, "Clearly, this has been a difficult time for the community. It's important that we all reconnect at this time, and you'll see our red shirts out and about amongst the community. We're closing the evacuation centers, of course, but now it's very important that we start to think about what comes next for the region, what does recovery look like? And we're working very closely with our partners, the SES with Reconstruction Authority, as well as the Rural Fire Service on what needs to come next, and that's a critical part of this for us.

"If you do want to support Australian Red Cross, in many ways, you can do it. You've heard today about donating blood, of course, if you want to donate time, we would be very appreciative of that. If you can't donate blood, you can't donate time, but you want to support us in some way, please go to our website, redcross.org.au, have a look at our Tropical Cyclone Alfred Appeal. Critical funds that you can support us with, go directly to the community, help them recover and to help them move on to the next phase of their lives.

When asked why Lismore continually punches above its weight in terms of blood and plasma donations, Kevin Hogan said, "There's a word that I actually don't like, but I'm going to have to use it to answer your question. I mean, obviously we are a resilient community, and we've been through a lot. Andrew and I were just talking, Andrew, as you may know, I'm sure you do, was very integral with our bushfires and the role he had then. So our community has been through a lot, and I think we know we need to keep moving on. I think we value places like the Red Cross Donor Centre. We know the importance of it. Lismore today is almost back to normal. Everyone's reopened their businesses. We want to get back to life. We want life to be normal again. And part of that is community involvement and community spirit, donating and being involved with the Australian Red Cross."

If you can spare an hour for blood or 90 minutes for plasma in the next six weeks, call 131 495, download the Lifeblood app or visit the website www.lifeblood.com.au to make a booking.