Hibiscus Coast residents are asked to donate blood ahead of the upcoming festive season.

The New Zealand Blood Service is having a donation clinic at the Stillwater Hall (1a Duck Creek Road, Stillwater) from 9am to 2pm on Friday, 10 November.

When you give blood, you give a priceless gift that can’t be found anywhere else.

One of the greatest things about donating blood is that you can save three lives with a single donation.

Your blood donation can be used in treatments for those going through cancer, undergoing surgery, or who have been in a traumatic accident.

It can also be used to help those with autoimmune disorders or bleeding disorders.

Donating blood will take between five and 10 minutes on a donor bed. 

The NZ Blood Service collects about 470ml of blood (roughly 8% of the average adult's blood volume), but your body replaces the fluids of the donated blood in just 24 hours, and in 6-8 weeks your red blood cells will be back to normal.

To book your bed in November, go to https://www.nzblood.co.nz/booking/