National Blood Donor Week

September 9th, 2009

I’m not usually in the habit of copying & pasting other people’s posts outright, but when I saw this post by Leigh from That’s Noice I wanted to do my part to spread the message. It’s an issue close to my heart.

To coincide with the 80th anniversary of blood collection services in Australia, the Federal Government has designated 2009 the Year of the Blood Donor.

This week is National Blood Donor Week, an opportunity to showcase and recognise the Millions of special donors all over the world and hear from the people whose lives are transformed by their generosity.

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Did you know?
• One in three Australians will need blood at some stage during their lifetime – but only one in 30 currently give it

• Australia needs 21,000 blood donations per week to ensure there are adequate supplies for those people who need it

• Giving blood takes only one hour of your time and it can help save the lives of three people

• A donation of 470 ml of blood is less than 10% of your total blood volume

• Your body keeps discarding and replenishing blood all the time whether you give blood or not – so you may as well put that ‘spare’ blood to good use and help save up to three lives as you do it

If you need a reason to donate, take the time to read Ivy’s special story and how just an hour of your time can change her life, and the lives of so many others.

Please visit the Australian Red Cross Blood service to see if you are suitable to be a Blood donor and find your nearest Donor Centre.

Many people don’t realise that, for a multitude of reasons, a significant percentage of our population is not eligible to give blood. This makes it all the more important to find out if you’re eligible, and make the time to donate if you can.

I’ve found it to be a positive experience, and I’m grateful to Leigh for reminding me that my next donation is overdue!

Read the original post at That’s Noice.

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  • http://mythreeringcircus.com tiff

    Thank you for this.

    Awareness is such an important part of donation and makes a big difference to people like Ivy.

  • http://thatsnoice.com Leigh

    Thanks for helping spread the word Elizabeth :)

  • http://fireyred.com Sherry

    I have donated blood once… well *kind of once* I passed all the formalities but my problem started after about 1 minute after my blood was being taken. I started to feel really faint and sick. I asked the nurse if that was normal and she said that some people just can not do it and it was SOP to stop right then and there, so they did. She did tell me that there was about half a bag, which they still should b able to use (i hope so anyway!) I keep getting letters telling me that I should come back and stuff, but I’m scared. She said it may not happen again, but if it does then I can’t be a donor.