Blood donors help Aussie kids receive 75,000 life-saving treatments a year

More than 75,000 blood and plasma treatments are needed to help save the lives of Australian children every year. 

This National Blood Donor Week, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is recognising the donors who make that possible.

As demand for donated blood and plasma continues to grow, including among vulnerable patients in children’s hospitals, Lifeblood Executive Director Donor Experience Cath Stone said each life-giving donation makes a life-changing difference to our community’s smallest recipients.

“If you’ve ever donated blood, there’s a good chance it has helped a child. For these kids, and anyone who receives a donation, it’s more than blood. It’s life,” Cath said.

“Whether a child is living with an immune condition, undergoing cancer treatment, or recovering from trauma, blood donation is the reason these life-saving treatments are possible and gives families hope in some of their hardest moments.”

To recognise Australia’s generous blood donors and highlight the impact they have on the lives of young kids, Lifeblood is releasing a limited-edition bandage inspired by drawings from children at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.  

Designed by artist David Booth, the colourful bandage is a celebration of children’s creativity and resilience and will be available in donor centres across the country from National Blood Donor Week.

“It was a real honour to meet and draw with young people who are the recipients of blood donations,” David said.

“I’m always humbled by young people's ability to step into play mode when the pencils and markers come out, no matter what they are going through. I hope that our bandage helps donors connect with the joy in the drawings and feel the true impact they make with each donation.” 

Eligible Australians are encouraged to make an appointment and wear their bandage with pride, knowing their donation can help save lives and is a powerful act of kindness.

“Children throughout Australia rely on the 75,000 treatments made from donations of blood, plasma and platelets and sent to hospitals each year. Our new bandage is a visible reminder that donors don’t just give blood - they bring colour to little lives,” Cath said.

“Whether you’re a first-time donor or a regular donor, every donation helps ensure hospitals have the blood products children and other patients need, and helps make brighter days possible for them.”

National Blood Donor Week, which runs from 8 to 14 June in 2026, celebrates Australia’s half a million blood and plasma donors.

All donors who give between 8 June and 19 July will be wrapped in the vibrant, limited-edition bandage, creating an extra reason to book during National Blood Donor Week and beyond.

Book a donation by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au, or via the Lifeblood app.