The New Zealand blood service is warning of a national shortfall and is urging donors to come forward. In particular - plasma is in short supply with 1,300 more regular plasma donors urgently needed by next June.
Plasma is known as "liquid gold" as its used to treat over 50 serious illnesses from cancer to immune disorders.
Auckland primary school teacher and grandmother, Michaela Von Sturmer, received blood and blood products from 54 different donors after she was diagnosed with leukaemia.
She's sharing her story to encourage others to donate blood, plasma, or join the bone marrow registry.
