Vital reads

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Featured

Childbirth is rarely easy. But for Anthea, it was traumatic.

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James Harrison - our favourite Guiness World Record holder

Sure, there are some impressive record holders throughout history, but how many of them can claim to have saved up to 2.4 million babies?

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2024 Stats and Snack Battle

How many litres of tomato sauce does a nation use when dressing their post-donation baked goods?

Ten years. Six surgeries. Three lives changed.

Steven had been on the transplant wait list for almost 10 years when he received the call. A compatible kidney had been found. What followed was a complex exchange process involving six surgeries, three donor kidneys and a new ground-breaking medical treatment.

Amira goes from strength to strength as the need for rare blood continues

It’s been over a year since Amira underwent a life-saving heart operation. Today, she’s back doing what she loves, spending time with family, playing with her children and enjoying life.

Microbiome product gets the green light from the TGA

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s life-changing donor stool product has received Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval for use in patients with a potentially life-threatening bowel i

25 September 2024

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Could donating be even more fun, together?

Whether it’s tackling everyday chores, embarking on new adventures, giving back to the community or blood donation, having a buddy by your side can make all the difference.

Shoba was the only stem cell match in the world

It was a simple email that launched Lifeblood nurse, Shoba, on the path to change a stranger’s life.

Looking for a reason to give blood? This couple has a few.

To help celebrate the launch of the Life Is The Reason campaign, we caught up with married couple and milestone donors, Amanda and Michael, to find out what motivates them.

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What’s behind Australia’s growing demand for blood donors?

Blood isn’t just for emergenciesWhen we think of donating blood, our minds usually jump to emergencies — like helping car crash victims or people underg

A woman sitting in a donor chair talking to a nurse

From party pies to saving lives: the step-by-step guide to giving blood

Did you know a single blood donation only takes about 10 minutes and can save up to three lives? Find out how you can make a difference to those in need.

Think you can’t donate blood? Think again.

Almost half of all Australians believe they can’t donate blood. Let’s break down the biggest myths that could be holding them back.

When Kiani was diagnosed with leukaemia, blood donors were ready to help.

Olivia and Lee are in the fight of their lives to save their little girl. Thanks to an incredible medical team and countless blood donors, they’re starting to feel hope again.

For Paralympian Rachael Watson, plasma donations are liquid gold

While Paralympian Rachael Watson takes on the world, at home, an army of donors are rolling up their sleeves to provide the life-changing plasma that helps make it possible.

Olympian Brad Hore and Lifeblood team up to support a nation for blood donation

Lifeblood has teamed up with Olympian and Indigenous artist, Brad Hore to create a bandage that lets blood donors share their national pride.

18 July 2024

Michael Klim meets three imperfect blood donors

Michael Klim helps the guys from The Imperfects podcast make their first blood donation.

24 June 2024

The doctors of tomorrow saving lives today

Monash University Medical Undergraduates Society are working together to give life.

When it comes to saving lives, V/LINE donors are all aboard.

Despite being dispersed all over Victoria, these V/Line staff members are united by their dedication to saving lives.

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From Cord Blood to Microbiome; The evolution of “Rotary’s gift to the people of WA”

In 2005, an incredible 5,000 Rotarians embarked on a lifesaving campaign for the West Australian people.

An anti-D tale of maternal magic

Inspired by her mum, anti-D donor Robyn unwittingly became the hero of her own family when her daughter Hannah needed the treatment during pregnancy.

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Guess who’s back? Lifeblood Gifts is back!

In 2023, we ran our trial rewards program – Lifeblood Gifts – and gave out limited-edition Lifeblood merch to 92,000 of our delightful donors.

26 April 2024

two women volunteers wearing red aprons that say 'Together, we're Australia's Lifeblood'. with a red sticker that says 'what does donation mean to you? Share it here'

Volunteers smooth the way for donors: meet Caz and Mim

There’s plenty that goes on behind the scenes of every donation.

02 April 2024

What does blood donation have to do with gastroenterology?

There’s a common misconception that blood donations are only used to treat people in hospital emergency rooms, but there are many fields of medicine that rely on blood products.

28 March 2024

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Emma relies on blood donors to save lives

As a practice development nurse specialising in both surgery and haematology, Emma has seen the life-saving impact blood donors can have on the patients in her care.

28 March 2024

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How blood donors help paediatric nurses save little lives

As a paediatric care nurse, Abbey has seen first-hand what blood donations can do for a child in need. Discover how blood donors help her save lives every day.

28 March 2024

Faecal transplant capsules

An orally administered frozen liquid faecal microbiota for transplantation (FMT) capsule might be available for clinical trials sooner than first thought, thanks to a new partnership with&nbs

06 March 2024

Three transplants and a baby

Just before Christmas 2023, 31-year-old Kirsty Bryant welcomed her second baby Henry after becoming the first person in Australia to receive a uterus transplant, thanks to a team of incredibl

06 March 2024

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Blood donation myths, busted.

Easy to digest nuggets of donation information

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How you can make a meaningful difference in 2024

Feel good about yourself and give life; what could be a better resolution than that?

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Blood donors are standing up (while sitting down) for kids living with cancer

Classmates Piper and Tom, are just two of the 750 children diagnosed with cancer every year. Discover how blood donors are helping them (and hundreds like them) stand up to cancer.

22 January 2024

Where are they now? How blood donors helped Mason overcome cancer

When people meet Mason, they see a friend, heading out for a bike ride; an older brother showing his siblings the ropes; a devoted student, with near perfect attendance.

22 January 2024

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5 life-changing gift ideas

Tis the season for giving, but what to buy? If you’re struggling for ideas, Lifeblood has a few that are guaranteed to score you a spot on Santa’s good list. We’ll even wrap it for free!

30 November 2023

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2023 Lifeblood Stats and Snacks

As we wrap the third year of the roaring 20’s, we’re celebrating the accomplishments of our life-giving donors.

29 November 2023

Michael Klim along with 32 donors dressed in red swimwear at Bondi

An Olympic effort

Bringing a Lifeblood ambassador to life.

24 November 2023

black and white photograph of a moustache being placed on a blood cell taken with an electron microscope

How do you give a red blood cell the world’s smallest Mo?

To help celebrate Lifeblood’s Movember partnership and raise awareness of the role of blood donation in men’s health, we set off on an endeavour into the microscopic world.

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Lachie’s bone marrow donation gave Jamison life

An urgent bone marrow transplant from a sibling donor was the best option for Jamison, so his older brother Lachie stepped up and did just that.

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Spring: time to supercharge our blood supply

Spring is a wonderful time of year for Lifeblood. As buds bloom, and hay feverish Aussies finally emerge from cold and flu season, we can breathe a sigh of relief and start getting Australia’s plasma donations back on track.

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Australians respond for Amira

When Australians first heard about Amira, who needed a blood type that we didn’t have in supply, they responded in droves.

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Daniel gives plasma for wife Kylie’s life

Daniel was a plasma donor for more than 15 years, but when his wife was diagnosed with an immunodeficiency, it made his contributions even more important.

collage of UK donors donating blood after the deferral was lifted

Absolutely Smashing: one year on from UK being A-OK

It’s been one year since we put out the biccies and started pouring cuppas for our UK mates.

29 August 2023

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What does climate change have to do with blood donation?

Climate change has emerged as one of the greatest challenges of our time.

11 August 2023

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Lifeblood and blood donors are stepping up to fight cancer

Close to 20,000 Australians will be newly diagnosed with a form of blood cancer this year.

11 August 2023

Laurie finds inspiration in his great great gran’s story

Content warning: This article may contain topics that you may find sensitive or distressing.

27 June 2023

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Enhancing Ebony’s immunity with plasma

When you donate plasma, you give people like Ebony a shot at a healthy life through an army of life-saving germ-fighters.

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From plasma to breast milk, giving is in Amanda’s blood

Leading by example, Amanda hopes to inspire others to give while they can.

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Dear Donors: from boy in a bubble to unstoppable bubbly boy

Plasma donors are Ismaeel’s secret weapon for fighting infections.

20 June 2023

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A plasma donation prolonged John's life

This article is republished from The Senior.

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Dear Donors: The Stannards' Story

Miriam and her young family have faced more challenges in the past 10 years than most families will face in a lifetime. Collectively, they have received over 100 transfusions. Their story is one of hope, love and perseverance.

It takes a village to save a life

Like most people, Gina had never heard of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

30 May 2023

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More power to you Peter

Getting well enough to donate blood again kept Peter going through his cancer treatment.

Recognising women who give: The female pioneers of Lifeblood

From the very beginning, women have played a vital role in the establishment of blood donation in Australia, with pioneers Dr Lucy Bryce and Dr Ruth Sanger at the forefront.

08 March 2023

Recognising women who give: how one mum gave hope by giving breast milk

When Janske’s twins were born at just 25 weeks her doctors told her how important it was to try and express milk, even if it was just one drop – she gave so much more.

02 March 2023

Three generations of women who give

Finding a way to give back made a huge difference to Fatima and her family. And now, they get to celebrate every donation surrounded by family — and with homemade pizza, of course.

5 tips for women in STEM with Dr Lacey Johnson

Looking at a career in medical research? We caught up with Dr Lacey Johnson, to find out what advice she has for the next generation of women in STEM.

28 February 2023

Discover how the blood you give helps haematologists fight cancer.

As a haematologist, Dr Tatarczuch has been involved in over 100 clinical trials and provided life-saving therapies for countless patients with haematological cancers.

15 February 2023

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Valentine’s Day horoscopes

This time of year has us thinking about what the future holds.

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Jase faced his cancer with an army of donors

Jase’s cancer diagnosis brought a community of blood donors together

30 January 2023

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How a cancer diagnosis turned a mother into a lifesaver

After learning her baby boy had cancer, Candice felt powerless, but she found hope in blood donation.

30 January 2023

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Dinushka wants to thank Australia's plasma donors

Recipient Dinushka thanks plasma donors around the country, whose generosity helped fight her severe infection

How a faecal microbiota transplant changed Kevin’s life

Kevin had his life transformed by something most of us are flushing down the toilet.

Why blood type matters

They say opposites attract, but when it comes to blood transfusion, some things were never meant to mix.

What makes O negative blood the universal blood type

Every blood type is vital, but only O negative can be safely given to all recipients. In an emergency, it can be life-saving.

Does your donation have a use-by-date?

At first glance, you might not think the blood you donate has much in common with the groceries you buy, but they all share one thing: a shelf-life.

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2022 Aussie Blood Donor Stats and Snacks

Anyone else agree that 2022 has gone by in a blink? It sure does feel like that sometimes.

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Presents without a price tag

Gifting anxiety may be on the horizon, but have no fear, we’ve got you covered.

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Things that make you go “hmm”

Here are some fun facts about blood to make you smarter than you were 5 minutes ago.

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A crew of life-givers

When David’s mum was told she had six months to find a match for her bone marrow transplant, his friends and family stepped up for the cause.

plasma donor Rowan is seated while giving a donation, recipient Dinushka is standing to his left and smiling

Opinion: A call to arms as demand for plasma soars

It was only in 2018 when news broke globally of the world’s greatest blood plasma donor – Australia’s James Harrison.

13 October 2022

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A running passion for life

Since conquering his fear of needles thirteen years ago, Jarrod’s kicking goals in and out of the donor chair

Collage of new Brunswick and Marrickville donor centres

More space, more donations, more lives changed

Donation should be easy, so we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make it even easier

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UK is A-OK

Those who’ve spent more than 6 months in the UK between 1980 and 1996 are now eligible to donate blood, and they’re keen as mustard.

Why finally becoming a blood donor means so much to this Dad

Matthew sometimes feels bad that he didn’t give much thought to donating blood until someone he knew needed it.

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A rare request beyond borders

When it comes to rare blood types, it’s a global effort to match need with demand and our ethnic ancestry has a major part to play.

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Plasma gives Charlie life every week

Diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, Charlie relies on a regular infusion of immunoglobulin for protection against common viruses and bacteria.

Jacob’s second chance at life

Twelve years after a near-fatal car accident with a 5% chance of survival, Jacob is determined to make the most of his life

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UK blood donation ‘mad cow ’ rule has changed — for good

People who lived in the United Kingdom for over 6 months between 1980 and 1996 can now give blood in Australia. Yep, blood donors from the UK are A-OK!

25 July 2022

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Giving life beyond blood

How a generous organ donation gave little Maia the best chance at a normal life.

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Lifeblood’s Australian-first donated breast milk research will help thousands of babies

Lifeblood researchers are conducting Australian-first research that could potentially help thousands of babies in the future.

13 July 2022

illustration of a globe of the earth, standing on one side are two people holding large red blood droplets and on the other side are standing two scientists in white lab coats

What we’ve learned about blood donors in 2022

Blood donors are overachievers. Not only are you giving to change lives, but your donation can also contribute to world-leading research, like helping track the progress of a pandemic.

13 July 2022

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National Blood Donor Week 2022 - Be the Lifeblood of Australia

Over 8.3 million Australians will need blood in their lifetime. Join us this National Blood Donor Week, 13–19 June.

11 June 2022

Donor Stephen is lying in a chair, with a bandage on his arm from donating plasma for the anti-D program

Anti-D donor Steve Gansberg is just happy to help

Steve is an anti-D donor, and the plasma he gives has saved the lives of thousands of babies.  

09 June 2022

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Sneezy season: busting cold and flu myths

It’s everyone’s least favourite time of year: winter.

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Milk donors share their tips for expressing breast milk

This article is republished from Donor Research Network. Read the original article.

19 May 2022

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On a roll with 600 donations

Aunty Mary’s challenge More than 30 years ago Bruce walked into the Brookvale Oval mobile donor centre to give blood. His motivation for donation?

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Our tertiary competition is over

Stay tuned – we'll draw the winners of our tertiary competition on Monday 2 May. Until then, the need for blood never stops.

11 April 2022

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Are you of Polynesian, New Zealand Māori or Filipino descent?

A pregnant patient in Melbourne, Christina Patau, has a disease that is causing her immune system to attack the blood of her unborn baby, and she requires regular blood transfusions in the womb.

01 April 2022

Female nurse assisting a female donor as she gives blood

Queensland and northern NSW floods: how you can help

With so many affected by heavy rains and flooding in Queensland and northern New South Wales, we really hope you’re all OK out there. As a result of the weather and road closures, the following donor centres are closed today.

03 March 2022