11 July – 31 August 2011

Australian Medical Students’ Association Blood Drive 2011  AMSA is once again supporting the Australian Red Cross Blood Service by holding their annual blood drive, now in it’s 7 th year  The AMSA blood drive involves 20 Australian universities and medical societies across the country  The blood drive will run from 11 July – 31 August 2011

Why hold a blood drive?  Traditionally, the Winter months are a difficult time for the Blood Service, as many regular blood donors are unable to donate due to colds and flu  The Australian community needs over 320,000 donations during this this 3 month winter period – that’s over 27,000 donations each week  We’re challenging each university’s Medical Society to roll up their sleeves, donate blood, and see how many lives they can save

Why is blood needed?  One in three Australians will need blood products at some point in their lives but only one in thirty currently donate  All blood components have a short shelf life, creating the need for a constant blood supply  Blood is especially needed during winter and holiday periods when blood donations decrease

Whole blood  Can donate every 12 weeks Plasma  You must have given at least one whole blood donation  Can donate every 2 weeks Platelets  You must have given at least one whole blood donation  Can donate every 2-4 weeks Three donation types

How donated blood is used The majority of donated blood goes to people with cancer, as well as people who have suffered traumatic accidents, burns or who undergo surgery

Why get involved?  Feel great – a sense of achievement to save lives and make a real difference to those people who need blood  Be part of a team – participate with medical students at your university, donating blood together in a group supports those giving blood for the first time, and encourages others to donate  Help the local community – you are involved in a vitally important service  1 donation can save 3 lives – so imagine how many lives your MedSoc can save by donating together?

How to participate – Give blood  Make an appointment to donate blood during the blood drive period (11 July – 31 August)  Many universities will have a donormobile van or mobile unit visiting the campus during the blood drive period  Or you can donate at any blood donor centre or donormobile van nationally  See your AMSA representative to find out details about your campus  Join your MedSoc online, visit : donateblood.com.au/clubred

2010 results UniversityStateDonations Adelaide UniversitySA54 Australian National UniversityACT47 Bond UniversityQLD6 Deakin UniversityVIC66 Flinders UniversitySA10 Griffith UniversityQLD111 James Cook UniversityQLD107 Melbourne UniversityVIC8 Monash UniversityVIC64 University of New EnglandNSW32 University of New South WalesNSW38 University of NewcastleNSW20 University of Notre Dame, FremantleWA18 University of Notre Dame, SydneyNSW8 University of QueenslandQLD19 University of SydneyNSW15 University of TasmaniaTAS31 University of Western AustraliaWA110 University of Western SydneyNSW86 University of WollongongNSW8 TOTAL donations 858  Can we beat our combined results from last year?  How many lives can your university save?  2010 saw over 2,500 lives saved – an awesome effort!  Make sure your donation counts towards the online tally: donateblood.com.au/clubred

Are you eligible to give blood? Most people are able to give blood if they:  Are fit, healthy and not suffering from a cold, flu or other illness at the time of donation  Are aged between years (in QLD and WA year olds require parental consent)  Weigh more than 45kg (16-17 year olds need to weigh more than 50kg). FAQs about eligibility can be found at

What happens when you give blood?  Questionnaire and interview – To ensure you are fit and well a confidential questionnaire is completed, and an interview is conducted  Health check – blood pressure / haemoglobin levels are checked  Donation – Only takes 5-10 minutes, blood volume is replaced within 48 hours

Questions? Contact your university AMSA representative  To find out if a mobile unit is visiting your campus For more information about blood donation  visit or call www.donateblood.com.au Track your MedSoc’s progress at: 

11 July – 31 August 2011