- 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.
Year of the Blood Donor 09
To coincide with the 80th anniversary of blood collection services in Australia, the Federal Government designated 2009 the Year of the Blood Donor. It was an opportunity to showcase our 514,000 special donors and hear from the people whose lives are transformed by their generosity.
The program of activities included:
Launch of Year of the Blood Donor 2009
The official start to Year of the Blood Donor took place in Melbourne’s Federation Square on Wednesday 25 February 2009. Hosted by Catriona Rowntree, the main stage was a festival of entertainment with Melbourne band True Live, Neighbours star and singer, Sam Clark and 2008 Australian Idol contestant, Mark Spano.
Travelling Exhibition
Thousands of Australians across the country found out their blood type at the multi-media, interactive travelling exhibition.
Education Resource - Blood Buddies
The online resource, Blood Buddies, complements the curriculum for Years 7 - 10 and helps them learn about the science and uses of blood. Students can visit a virtual Donor Centre and learn about the history of blood donation.
Celebrating 80 years of saving lives
Find out about the the history of blood collection in Australia over the past 80 years, including: during the war years; the evolution of mobile blood collection units; and how the Blood Service continues to attract donors over the years by visiting the history of blood services.
A thank you trip on The Ghan
Australian Red Cross Blood Service and The Ghan celebrates their 80th anniversaries in 2009. To thank our blood donors we offered a competition prize of a trip on The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin in a platinum cabin.