- 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.
Radio Star Youth Radio Competition
Radio Star was a 2010 competition for 15-18 year olds to write and produce their own radio ad about blood donation.
National Winner announced!
Winners were Sarah Brazel, Felicity Handley and Matt Raffaele from Calrossy Anglican School in NSW!
Our winners heard their fantastic ad on Nova FM across the country for 2 weeks, starting Monday 19 July 2010.
With over 70 entries, 13,000 online votes and some judging help from celebrities John Foreman and Sam Clarke it was a tough race to the end but congratulations to Calrossy Anglican School on their very original and catchy ad.
Thank you to everyone who entered and voted in the competition.