- 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.
Art for the awareness of blood donation
What type are you?
Ten Australian artists and celebrities are raising awareness about blood donation and blood types through Art. They have each created a unique, personal and insightful design for a ‘mini’ statue of one or more of the main blood types, which draws upon influences and experiences from their own lives.
Australian Red Cross Blood Service CEO, Jennifer Williams, is delighted at the success of the project. She says: "Each artist has brought their creative talent and personality to their letter design in order to support the work of the Blood Service, and we commend their forward-thinking and passion for saving lives".
A, B and O are the Three Red Letters because they are the three main blood types. The fourth blood type is AB.
So what type are you? This clever and highly visual campaign encourages all who see it to find out what blood type they are and encourages them to give blood and save lives.
Meet the designers of the letters
The ten artists cover a range of backgrounds from fashion to sport to cooking to acting. All have given their talent and insights voluntarily in support of the Blood Service and raising awareness of donating blood and the three main blood types.
See their designs and read more about them here.
- Akira Isogawa
- Bettina Liano
- Chris Judd
- Curtis Stone
- Gordon Bennett
- Jude Bolton
- Ken Done
- Simmone Jade Mackinnon
- Sun Park
- Wayne Cooper
The letters themselves
The artists were each asked to select one or more of the Three Red Letters – A, B or O. It was a personal choice for them, and the design was influenced by their background, culture, or inspirations.
The letters are made of MDF with the layers filled with primers. A final gel coat was applied before the letters were received by the artists. The letters are approximately 350mm x 350mm and the final letters will be encased in clear perspex casing with a plaque while on display.
Where can you view the letters?
The exhibition will be moving around nationally for the remainder of 2010.
The statues will next be on display:
13 - 23 December
Stockland, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
13 December - 7 Januarry
SA Water Corporate Building in Victoria Square, Adelaide .
Curtis Stone shows his support
Curtis Stone dropped in to a Sydney Blood Donor Centre on 21 July to support National Blood Donor Week.
Some of Curtis's own family have needed blood transfusions so he knows how important it is to donate, and is proud to be an ambassador for the Red Cross Blood Service.
"Anyone that can spare one hour of their time should donate this week, your one donation can help save three lives," he said
