True Colours 2024: Lifeblood and Cancer Council

Lifeblood and Cancer Council

Did you know more blood donations go to people with cancer than anyone else?

That’s why we’re joining forces with Cancer Council this World Cancer Day (4 February) and all throughout February to help tackle cancer — and you can too.

Donate blood, plasma or platelets to show your support for people living with cancer with a sunny daffodil bandage designed by Australian artist and proud donor Beci Orpin.

Cancer Council is the only charity that works across every area of every cancer, from research to prevention and support. They help people from the point of diagnosis through to their treatment and beyond.

Together, it’s all of us against cancer.

Stand up to cancer (while sitting down). Give blood.

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Meet the artist: Beci Orpin.

“It uses the iconic Cancer Council daffodil symbol, which represents hope […] I wanted the mass of daffodils to show optimism and cheeriness, and I hope the bandage recipient feels this too.” – Beci Orpin.

This is Beci’s second True Colours bandage design, and on a topic that’s especially close to her heart. Beci began donating blood at 18 after some encouragement from her parents, both donors, but dropped off as life got busier — something that happens to many donors. 

Then, a friend was diagnosed with cancer. “I wanted to help him, but felt useless,” she explains. “It felt like a practical way to help lots of people in his situation.”

Now, a decade later, Beci is still rolling up her sleeves regularly. As she says, “Donating blood is such an easy and practical thing to do which helps lots of people, and it makes you feel good!”

photo of artist Beci Orpin seated at a table and smiling, on the right hand side is her bandage design of a woman in dark blue outline surrounded by yellow daffodils on a pale blue background

Blood and cancer: the facts

an illustration of a hospital building
Many people who have chemotherapy need blood transfusions.
an illustration of a red blood droplet
1/3 of donated red cells are used in treatment of cancer and blood diseases.
an illustration of a platelet bag in yellow and orange
2/3 of all donated platelets go to people with cancer.
an illustration of two people standing
1 in 2 people in Australia will be diagnosed with cancer by age 85.
image of Beci Orpin's design, it includes a woman in profile and a potplant in dark blue with yellow daffodils on a light blue background


Post a pic to @lifebloodau on Instagram to win a signed Beci Orpin print

The daffodil symbolises hope for people living with cancer and their loved ones. Whether you keep this print or give it to someone whose life has been touched by cancer, this beautiful print by Beci Orpin is sure to brighten someone’s day.

To be in the running to win:

  • Post a photo to your Instagram account showing off your post-donation artist bandage.
  • The photo shouldn’t show needles or blood (they can make people a bit squeamish!).
  • Tag our official Instagram account @lifebloodau in the image and use the hashtag #lifebloodau
  • You must be following @lifebloodau to enter.
  • One winner will be selected and will be sent a limited-edition signed print.
  • We’ll notify the winner via private message on Instagram and share your pic to our account.
  • Competition opens Mon 29 January and closes Sunday 3 March 2024.
  • T&Cs can be found here.
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