History
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service as a single, national organisation was formally created in 1996. But, our beginnings go back more than 90 years.
In 1929, Dr Lucy Bryce set up the first Red Cross volunteer blood transfusion service in Australia. For decades after, separate state and territory Red Cross blood banks managed the collection and supply of blood across Australia.
Becoming a national organisation improved how we collect and process blood and made it easier for us to share knowledge with other blood services across the world. The result is world-class quality, consistency and safety for Australia’s blood supply.
1665 |
First successful blood transfusion - on a dog, not a human! |
1818 |
First human blood transfusion performed by James Blundell, a British obstetrician. |
1900 |
Blood types discovered by Dr Karl Landsteiner. |
1914 |
Vein-to-vein transfusions used to treat shock during World War I. |
1929 |
Australia's first Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service founded in Victoria. |
1939 |
Victorian Red Cross Service begins banking blood rather than direct transfusions. |
1939 |
During World War II, state blood services provide volunteer blood for military and civilians. |
1942 |
Australia’s first mobile blood bank makes its maiden journey in WA. |
1945 |
The Red Cross takes over the Army's blood preparation centres. |
1960s |
Plastic blood bags revolutionise blood collection. Blood and its derivatives used to treat injuries, burns, cancer, surgery and haemophilia. |
1967 |
Ground-breaking Anti-D Program uses donor plasma to create anti-D immunoglobulin injections to prevent deadly haemolytic disease in newborn babies. |
1985 |
Australia becomes the first country to screen entire blood supply for HIV. |
1990 |
Australia becomes the second country in the world to screen entire blood supply for hepatitis C. |
1993 |
First National Blood Donor Week recognises and thanks blood donors. |
1996 |
State and Territory blood transfusion services amalgamate to form the Australian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service. |
2003 |
Annual number of blood donations by Australians reaches one million. |
2009 |
Year of the Blood Donor celebrates 80 years of Red Cross blood services in Australia. |
2011 |
James Harrison, pioneering member of the Anti-D program, makes his 1000th donation. His plasma has been included in every batch of anti-D injections given to pregnant Australian mothers since 1967 and has saved the lives of over 2 million babies. |
2014 |
18 different medical products now made from plasma, from treatments for bleeding disorders to immunisations. |
2014 |
Blood Service trials frozen blood products for use by the Australian Defence Force on the frontline. |
2015 |
The Red25 life-saving, group-based social responsibility program launches |
2017 |
The first dedicated Plasma Centre opens in Townsville (followed by our second in Canberra in 2018) |
2017 |
The Anti-D program celebrates it's 50th anniversary |
2018 |
The Blood Service launches a pasteurised human Milk Bank to support premature babies in NSW and SA |
2019 |
The Blood Service celebrates its 90 year anniversary |