While Rugby World Cup festivities might have caused some people to overlook their regular blood donations, Dunedin donors are ahead of the game.
The New Zealand Blood Service says there has been a noticeable drop in total blood donations since the RWC kick-off, but Dunedin donors have not taken their eyes off the ball.
Service marketing and communications manager Paul Hayes said the service in Dunedin had a target of 185 units last week and collected 199.
Nationally, however, donations were down by about 100, or 3%.
Regular donations were critical because blood had a shelf life, he said. Red blood cells only lasted 35 days and platelets five days.
Mr Hayes said the modest decline was not particularly unusual but the service wanted to remind people to keep giving blood as a priority.
Across the country, the service needed to collect about 3000 units of blood each week, he said.
The service was encouraging regular and first-time donors to make an appointment to give blood within the next month.
