Latest news with #NewZealandBloodService
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Project Aims To Bring Cutting-Edge Cancer Treatments To NZ
Plans are under way to bring life-saving cell-based cancer treatments to patients in New Zealand. Dr Alicia Didsbury from the University of Auckland's Centre for Cancer Research is leading a major project aiming to provide cell and gene therapies for cancer. The project is supported by the New Zealand Blood Service and doctors at Auckland City Hospital. Didsbury is applying for $1.4 million for the first phase of the project, which will offer virus-specific T-cell therapy for people with blood cancers who are undergoing treatments that lower their immunity. Virus-specific T-cells fight viruses more effectively and with fewer side effects than antiviral medications, which are currently used widely. The aim is for the first phase to begin later this year, establishing the country's first facility to manufacture virus-specific T-cells and a local biobank of T-cells. From there, the plan is to launch New Zealand's first clinical trials of cell-based treatments for a broad range of blood cancers and solid tumour cancers over the next few years. 'Cell-based therapies are the most advanced and promising treatments for cancer," says Didsbury, who is an immunologist, committee chair at the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, and a trustee for Ovarian Cancer Foundation NZ. 'At the moment, access to cellular therapies is extremely limited in New Zealand, so some patients go overseas and have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for these life-saving treatments.' Blood-cancer patients who receive stem-cell transplants are generally given immune suppressant medication to prevent complications. This can leave patients vulnerable to potentially life-threatening viral infections. New Zealand currently imports a small number of virus-specific T-cells, but these are expensive and not always a good match for Māori and Pacific populations, says Didsbury. 'By manufacturing virus-specific T-cells here in Auckland, we can create more affordable and better-matched therapies using local donor cells,' says Didsbury. 'For some people undergoing transplants, this could be lifesaving." Launching a virus-specific T-cell manufacturing and treatment service in Auckland will help build the basis to launch national and international clinical trials for cell-based treatments for blood and solid tumour cancers. The second phase of the project will make experimental treatments for multiple myeloma, melanoma, ovarian and lung cancers available in New Zealand for the first time. 'I'm a strong advocate for clinical trials in cancer care. They offer hope to patients and contribute to research that brings hope to others in the future,' says Didsbury. Initially, the project will launch at Auckland Hospital, but Didsbury hopes clinical trials will later be offered throughout New Zealand. For blood cancers, cell-based therapies show remarkable results. For solid tumours, cellular treatments are more experimental and have only completely cured a small percentage of patients in overseas trials. CAR T-cell therapy is one of the most promising treatments that will be offered. It harnesses the natural ability of T-cells – white blood cells that normally detect and kill virus-infected cells – to target cancer. In this therapy, a patient's own T cells are collected and genetically modified in the lab to recognise and kill cancer cells. These modified cells are then infused back into the patient to fight the cancer. CAR T-cell therapy can currently cost more than $500,000 per patient, so the project will explore affordable ways to offer these treatments within the public health system. The new service also aims to offer other cell and gene-based cancer therapies, such as transgenic T-cell receptor therapy and tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy. Didsbury's drive to make cancer treatments more accessible and affordable has personal roots. 'My dad passed away from cancer when I was 21 and that motivated me to pursue a career in cancer research – initially thinking I'd go into drug discovery. 'Then, in 2005, I attended a lecture from a scientist who had recently returned from Oxford who introduced me to the new idea of T-cell therapy – that was Professor Rod Dunbar. It completely changed my direction. I decided to do a PhD with him and he's still my boss at the University of Auckland's School of Biological Sciences,' she says. The 46-year-old has been developing cell-based treatments for cancer for 15 years. A breakthrough treatment she helped develop for melanoma could soon be offered in clinical trials.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Turn Up The Music, Roll Up Your Sleeve - New Zealand Blood Service Drop The Beats For Donation
Every superhero needs a theme tune, but New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) believes the best ones deserve a whole playlist. In celebration of National Blood Donor Week, NZBS has created a series of 'Blood Bangers' and 'Plasma Playlists' on Spotify with the help of some Kiwi legends. 'There are quite a few similarities between the world's most iconic superheroes and blood and plasma donors,' says New Zealand Blood Service's Marketing Communications Advisor, Ximena Smith. 'They're usually anonymous, they're known for being selfless, and most importantly, they save lives. Only 4% of the eligible population in New Zealand are regular donors, but every year they save or improve the lives of more than 30,000 people nationwide.' Timed to roughly last the length of time spent in the chair for either a whole blood or plasma donation, the playlists have been crafted by familiar names such as Tiki Taane, Fat Freddy's Drop, Shapeshifter, Erin Simpson and SYSCA's Lucy Blakiston, amongst others. Blood donors spend at least five minutes in a comfy reclining donor chair, while plasma donors get around 30-45 minutes of pure uninterrupted chill time. This means a donation is the perfect time to sit back, relax, discover some new music or hit play on your all-time favourite tunes. Whilst the big names have gotten the ball rolling, NZBS needs Aotearoa's help to create the perfect musical mix for superhero donors. It wants the guaranteed mood boosters; the slow, the soulful, the sing-alongs, and the downright party anthems. Drop the title of the song you would choose to power you through a lifesaving donation on the latest NZBS Instagram or Facebook post and together let's create the ultimate soundtrack! If you'd like to join NZBS' marvellous donor universe, start saving lives, and have the perfect reason to listen along to some Blood Bangers, check your eligibility or book an appointment by downloading the NZ Blood App, visiting or calling 0800 448 325. Blood Bangers Erin Simpson Lucy Blakiston SACHI Shapeshifter Stacey Leilua Theo Shakes Tiki Taane Plasma Playlists Fat Freddy's Drop Nico Porteous Sly Chaos The Black Seeds Troy Kingi About New Zealand Blood Service New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) in a not-for-profit Crown entity responsible for the collection, processing, testing and storage and distribution of all blood and blood products in New Zealand. We rely on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donations from individuals around the country in order to provide a constant supply of precious blood and blood products used by our health services to save thousands of lives. NZBS also provides cell and tissue products and related services to meet public health needs and maintains national oversight of organ donation and distribution.
NZ Herald
11-06-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
NZ Blood Service looking for more from Gen Z to donate
This week is National Blood Donor Week and the New Zealand Blood Service is keen to recruit more donors aged between 16 and 25. Gisborne-East Coast Cancer Society is appreciative of the work of the New Zealand Blood Service, This week is National Blood Donor Week (June 9 to 15) and the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) is keen to recover from the significant drop in the number of youth donors on its registry
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Blood Service calls for more young people to donate
health emergency services 42 minutes ago There has been a 25 percent decrease in the number of 16 to 25-year-olds who have donated blood at least once in a two-year period since 2020. New Zealand Blood Service chief executive Sam Cliffe spoke to Charlotte Cook.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Zealand Blood Service Needs New Blood – Call Out To Gen Z To Activate Their Superpower And Start Saving Lives
Press Release – New Zealand Blood Service New Zealand currently has just over 130,000 blood and plasma donors less than 4% of the eligible population. 9 – 15 June 2025 This National Blood Donor Week, New Zealand Blood Service is revealing new figures that show a significant drop in the number of youth donors on its registry over the past five years. Since 2020, there has been a 25% decrease in the number of 16–25-year-olds who have donated at least once in a two-year period, dropping from 24,394 in April 2020 to 18,237 in April 2025. The average age of a blood or plasma donor in Aotearoa has increased to 43, and more than 18% (or 25,000) of donors are aged 60 and over. While New Zealand Blood Service is encouraging eligible people of all ages to 'find their superpower' by becoming a blood or plasma donor, Chief Executive Sam Cliffe says the decline in youth donors is a worrying trend. She attributes much of this drop to the impact of COVID-19, which disrupted school-based donation programmes. 'For many people, their first introduction to blood donation was through their school or university. But the COVID-19 lockdowns and the lingering impacts of the pandemic has meant our donor recruitment teams have missed a whole cohort of young people to introduce to blood donation. 'In the last 12-months, 25% of our total donations came from donors aged over 60, and just 9% from donors aged 16-25. We're extremely grateful to all our donors, but when we look at our long-term supply strategy, its essential we start to encourage greater numbers of young people to become blood and plasma donors,' continues Sam. 'Anecdotally, we know that when people join the donor registry when they're young, they're more likely to become life-long donors, which is why historically our engagement through education has been so important. 'Blood and plasma donation is a quiet superpower with a big impact. It doesn't cost anything, doesn't take up too much of your time, but the result is powerful. Our app provides notifications to donors to let them know when their blood has been used to help save a life. And if you're a little bit unsure or nervous about making your first donation, you can do it with a friend!' Bianca Koper, a 25-year-old PhD student and sports scientist for the Blues rugby team, donated for the first time last month at the Epsom Donor Centre. 'I didn't have a reason for not donating, I just never got around to it. One of my friends set herself a challenge to complete 25 donations before her 25th birthday and that was what encouraged me to book my first appointment. 'I was quite surprised by how straightforward the whole process was, it was easy to book an appointment, the reception staff are great at getting you set up with the paperwork, and once I was in the chair, it felt like the donation was over in a matter of minutes. I've already booked another appointment, this time to donate plasma. 'The snacks provided were definitely a bonus, but for me the best part was getting a notification about a week after I donated to say my blood had been used! It's a pretty special feeling knowing something you've done is helping to save lives.' Facts and Stats about Blood Donation in Aotearoa Every year around 30,000 people living in New Zealand have their lives saved or improved by blood, plasma and platelet donors. New Zealand currently has just over 130,000 blood and plasma donors – less than 4% of the eligible population. The average age of a donor who has donated at least once in the past two years is 43, and 18% of these donors are over 60. New Zealand Blood Service needs to collect over 5,000 donations every week to meet demand. There is no alternative to blood, blood donors save lives. Just one whole blood donation can help save the lives of up to three people. Plasma is the liquid component of our blood – it can be donated more often than blood (every two weeks) and turned into up to 11 different lifesaving products. 80% of Kiwis have A and O blood types. Who needs your blood? Cancer patients 24%; accident and trauma patients 22%; people with liver, kidney & heart disease 11%; pregnant women, babies & children 6%; children including those with cancer 3%; bone surgery patients 6% and other medical conditions & surgical treatments 27%. Why do we always need new donors? Demand for plasma products is increasing every year, and in the next 12 months New Zealand Blood Service need to increase the plasma donor database by almost 20%, the equivalent of over 4,000 new donors, to continue to meet demand. Increased demand for plasma is a not just a New Zealand phenomenon. It's happening around the world. Red cells only have shelf life of 35 days, and platelets have shelf life of seven days. Plasma can be frozen for up to two years. This means we are in a constant cycle of collection. Every year around 25,000 people leave the active donor database for a variety of reasons, including health, age, relocation and personal choice. Discover your inner superpower and join New Zealand Blood Service's marvellous donor universe. For more information on donating blood or plasma and to book an appointment, either download the NZ Blood App, visit or call 0800 448 325. About New Zealand Blood Service New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) in a not-for-profit Crown entity responsible for the collection, processing, testing and storage and distribution of all blood and blood products in New Zealand. We rely on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donations from individuals around the country in order to provide a constant supply of precious blood and blood products used by our health services to save thousands of lives. NZBS also provides cell and tissue products and related services to meet public health needs and maintains national oversight of organ donation and distribution.
