Donors are her lifeline

Lupe Fifita. Photo / Doug Sherring

Lupe Fifita is alive because of donors she's never met.

Diagnosed with immunodeficiency and lung disease when she was five, the 16-year-old has been hospitalised more than 300 times.

Each week she injects 200ml of blood product immunoglobulin.

Lupe says she is grateful to be alive - and thankful for the donations.

The Blood Service needs about 1000 more donors to meet growing demand for the plasma product.

Kiwis can give blood or plasma on Tuesday, World Blood Donor Day.

For more information go to www.nzblood.co.nz or call 0800 GIVEBLOOD.