A decline of stocks has forced the Australian Red Cross Blood Service to make an urgent appeal for donors.

The service’s marketing coordinator for Port Macquarie, John Bain, said the branch was receiving about half its required daily donations at the Munster St centre.

“We need 30 or so people a day but, because of colds and flus over the past weeks, we haven’t been reaching these numbers,” Mr Bain said.

He said the centre was averaging about 15 donors daily.

“We are particularly short on blood group A, which is a common blood type, but are desperate for all types of blood.”

One single blood donation could save up to three people’s lives.

Regular blood donor Tania Ross must have saved thousands of people’s lives by now.

The 40-year-old Port Macquarie driving instructor has been donating blood for the past 15 years.

She religiously donates plasma – the liquid part of blood that holds the red and white cells – every two weeks and gives a full blood donation every 12 weeks.

The former police officer has witnessed first hand the effects of accidents and does whatever she can to help out.

“There is a lot of need out there for it,” she said.

“So many people, particularly little children, really need our help.”

The donor centre in Port Macquarie has increased its opening hours during the week to help collect the urgently needed blood.

The donation process takes less than 10 minutes, but allow about an hour for an interview, to complete paperwork – and to enjoy sweet treats after you give blood .

The centre is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 1pm and 7pm; and on Wednesday between 8am and 2pm.

It also will be open on July 12 from 8am until 1pm because of the difficulty Sydneysiders will have donating blood during the World Youth Day event.

Call 13 14 95.