Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued a national appeal for 22,000 extra people to donate blood or plasma in the next fortnight.

In Launceston, an additional 200 people are needed in the next two weeks, including around 60 additional donors for the March long weekend alone.

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Lifeblood executive director Cath Stone said elective surgery was driving the increase, with busy hospitals operating alongside declining blood donor numbers.

"Hospital demand is up 7 per cent compared to this time last year and we have around 10,000 fewer people donating now than we saw at the peak of the pandemic," she said.

"We need more donors to roll up their sleeves to ensure fridges are well stocked.

"Even if you don't know what blood type you have, we still need you - we need all blood types every day."

Tasmanians are already making a difference, with many work places answering the call through Lifeblood Teams - a social responsibility program for workmates, friends, team mates and communities who join together for donations.

This includes the Hungry Jacks Tasmania team, who had a group of members donate for the first time in Launceston on Tuesday.

Hungry Jacks multi-restaurant manager Millan Smith said he was first motivated to donate after a family member required a blood transfusion.

Now, he has been able to encourage many of his workmates to also give back.

"I have been donating now for about six years," he said.

"It's always been a really positive experience and I think when it comes to raising awareness, of our work group about 80 per cent didn't even know they could donate blood.

"So it's just about getting the message out there that if you can donate, you should."

Last year about 43 per cent of the donations made across Tasmania were made by donors who were part of a Lifeblood Team, with more than 900 teams contributing in 2020.

To book a blood or plasma donation visit lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.