Flight attendant Jacqueline Reid used to regularly give blood — but never thought she would need to rely on other people's donations to keep her alive.
The 36-year-old was diagnosed with a rare disease last year and has had more than 100 blood transfusions since.
"Without them I would not be here," she said.
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Miss Reid had been healthy, flying to Asia with Virgin Australia for almost four years and even competing in the World Airline Ski Championships.
But last winter, she started feeling unwell.
Fainting one day and calling an ambulance to go to hospital led to a shock diagnosis of aplastic anaemia, a serious condition that means her body doesn't produce enough red blood cells.
Until she can have a stem cell transplant next year, Miss Reid has weekly transfusions to keep her alive. It can be an emotional experience.
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"At first I was very upset but then that very quickly goes to an indescribable feeling of gratefulness," she said.
"I do often sit and ponder about the people who have donated.
"They will probably never get to actually speak to a person who's received their blood but I'm so grateful."
The flight attendant has a special mission to get her family and friends to eventually donate as much blood into the bank, as she's needed to take out.
"You walk out just feeling great," she recalled from her times donating.
But people like Miss Reid are being hit by what blood donation bosses are calling a "bailer boom" - people are not turning up for appointments.
Half of all people booked in to give blood were no-shows earlier this month, and the demand for donations is at a 10-year high.
Now a new Aussie-style campaign by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is urging people not only to sign up as a donor - but to actually follow through by asking them to take what it has dubbed "the Bloody Oath".
"We need 140,000 new blood donors in 2022 to meet the needs of patients across Australia, an increase of 45 per cent," Lifeblood's Executive Director of Donor Services, Cath Stone, said.
"We are extremely grateful that donors have continued to roll up their sleeves during the pandemic and ensure patients receive the blood and blood products they need, but our existing donors can't do it alone.
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"We want to harness the mateship and generosity that carried us through the pandemic and build a community of blood donors who are there to give hope, give joy, give second chances, and ultimately, give life."
A survey carried out by the charity found people had growing social fatigue, blaming adjusting to normal activities following lockdowns, the busy festive season, and overcommitting to plans, resulting in cancelling commitments.
To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au, or download the DonateBlood app.
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