- 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.
How donated blood is used
Red Cells
The majority of donated blood goes to people with cancer, as well as people who have suffered traumatic accidents, burns or who undergo surgery.
PLASMA & PLATELETS
Plasma donations are used to make 17 different products and contain very important proteins, nutrients and clotting factors which help to prevent and stop bleeding.
Platelets are used to help clot the blood and seal wounds in surgical and cancer patients. Leukaemia and chemotherapy treatments can reduce a patients platelet count.
BLOOD HAS A SHORT SHELF LIFE
All blood components have a short shelf life, creating the need for a constant blood supply.
- platelets - up to 5 days
- red cells - 42 days
- plasma - up to one year