Connie Cappello knows better than most the importance of blood donations.

She needs a transfusion every month in order to stay alive.

The 10-year-old has beta thalassemia — a genetic blood disorder caused by the body’s inability to produce enough healthy haemoglobin — and spends about five hours each month receiving blood transfusions at Perth Children’s Hospital.

She has already received more than 120 in her short life.

“I feel really thankful for people donating and I feel happy,” Connie said ahead of National Blood Donor Day on Sunday.

“If you really want to donate, give it a go.”

Connie’s grandmother Brenda Micale has witnessed the difference blood donations have made for her family.

“Connie loves to play netball, soccer, she does well at school, and loves to sing and dance — all things a 10-year-old girl does,” she said.

“She doesn’t have any limits and it’s really because of the treatment that she’s received from the Perth Children’s Hospital, the haematology team there and the nurses in Clinic H.

“She would have had about 120 transfusions so that’s a lot of blood donors out there who’ve done their bit — each month her transfusions probably require two donors.

“In terms of the gratitude that we feel towards blood donors, it is just unbelievable. Without that treatment, Connie wouldn’t survive.”

Australian blood donation charity Lifeblood is calling for around 700 donations in Western Australia this week in order to meet demand.

Currently, O and A blood types are running low and are in desperate need of replenishing.

Each year, more than 75,000 blood and plasma donations are needed to help save the lives of sick or injured Australian children.

Lifeblood donor experience executive director Cath Stone said each donation makes a life-changing difference.

“If you’ve ever donated blood, there’s a good chance it has helped a child. For these kids, and anyone who receives a donation, it’s more than blood. It’s life,” Ms Stone said.

“Whether a child is living with an immune condition, undergoing cancer treatment, or recovering from trauma, blood donation is the reason these life-saving treatments are possible and gives families hope in some of their hardest moments.”

To recognise Australia’s generous blood donors and highlight the impact they have on the lives of young kids, Lifeblood has released a limited-edition bandage inspired by drawings from children at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.

Eligible Australians are encouraged to make an appointment and wear their bandage with pride, knowing their donation can help save lives.

All donors who give blood between June 8 and 19 July will be wrapped in the limited-edition bandage.

There are currently 609,000 active donors across the country including almost 60,000 in WA.

Book a donation by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au, or via the Lifeblood app.