Blood is surprisingly versatile. The blood you donate can be made into 22 different medical treatments.
People of all walks of life need blood products. Some need it to get them through a serious event in their lives, like cancer or a difficult pregnancy. Others have medical conditions which mean they need blood products regularly to stay alive or be healthy.
There are about five litres of blood in the human body and it's made up of several useful components.
You may be able to donate whole blood, plasma or platelets. Each type of blood donation is used for different medical treatments, and your blood type determines the best donation for you to make.
For more ways to help others, consider bone marrow or organ donation.
Blood collected straight from a donor, without anything taken out. After it's donated, we usually separate whole blood into red blood cells, plasma and platelets in our labs.
You need to be 18-75 years old, weigh 50kg or more and be fit and healthy. Read more about the minimum age change.
Cancer, blood diseases, anaemia, heart disease, stomach disease, kidney disease, childbirth, operations, blood loss, trauma, burns.
Red cells can be stored for 42 days.
15 minutes to donate, 45 minutes for the appointment.
Every 12 weeks
Your blood is 55% plasma. It's the straw-coloured liquid that carries your red and white blood cells and platelets.
You can donate if you’re 18-75 years old, weigh at least 50kg and are fit and healthy. Other criteria apply so call us on 13 14 95 for more info.
Your plasma can be used in 18 different life-giving ways – from treating serious burns and cancer, to protecting people with brain and nerve diseases. It’s always being developed to help in new ways.
Plasma can last up to 1 year when frozen.
The process is apheresis, which means we take some of your blood, keep the plasma and then return the rest back to you.
45 minutes to donate, but we recommend 1.5 hours for the whole appointment.
You can give Australians exactly what they need every 2 weeks
The tiny 'plates' in blood that wedge together to help clotting and reduce bleeding. Platelets are always in demand: they're vital for people with low platelet counts, like many cancer patients.
Men who are aged between 18-75, weigh 50kg or more and have previously given a successful plasma donation in the past 12 months. Other criteria apply, so call us on 13 14 95 for more details.
Cancer, leukaemia (particularly during chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants), surgery, trauma, liver disease.
Just five days.
We collect some of your blood, keep the platelets and return the rest to you by apheresis.
45 minutes to donate, 1.5 hours for the appointment
Every 2-4 weeks.
See our platelets brochure for more info.
Most donors tell us that giving blood isn't as scary as they thought it would be. Feeling nervous? Read these tips.
Our trained donor centre staff members are there with you through the whole process. They'll explain how everything works and answer your questions.
It's easy, straightforward, rewarding and for a great cause. Who knows, maybe it will be you or someone you know who will need it one day!
James, New South Wales
Ready to donate?
You can make and manage your appointments online
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You can call us on
13 14 95
