- Australia has one of the safest blood supply systems in the world.
- You can donate whole blood every 12 weeks.
- O negative blood is universal and can be given to anyone.
- Plasma and platelet donations can be made every 2 weeks.
- Every whole blood donation can save 3 lives.
- 1 in 3 people will need blood. Only 1 in 30 gives blood.
- Australia needs over 27,000 blood donations every week.
- 470mL of blood is collected when you give whole blood.
- Within 24-48 hours of giving blood, your blood volume is completely restored.
- Giving blood only takes about an hour.
- Plasma donations can be used to make 17 different products.
- Red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days.
- 34% of donated blood goes towards helping cancer patients.
- You can start giving blood at 16.
- The blood service has been collecting blood for over 80 years.
- Many donor centres have a courtesy bus.
- You can donate double platelets – helping twice as many people.
- Platelets have a shelf life of only 5 days.
Research Strategy
In 2007/2008 a new strategy was developed to identify areas of research need within the Australian blood transfusion sector and to refocus R&D projects at the Blood Service towards the strategic requirements of the organisation and its stakeholders. All research projects are reviewed by an independent Research Advisory Committee.
In the Research & Development (R&D) division there has been a deliberate effort to increase research that can be translated into improved strategies for attracting and retaining donors, increasing the cost effectiveness of operations and driving change in clinical practice through evidence-based clinical research.
Transfusion science based research remains an important component of R&D at the Blood Service. Maintaining awareness of new developments in the wider transfusion community ensures that the Blood Service is prepared to act quickly in the face of any potential changes in the operating environment.
The Business Development component of the R&D division is focused on identifying opportunities to develop R&D originating within the Blood Service or increasingly, through partnerships with external organisations.