Stand up to cancer

(while sitting down)

Did you know that people with cancer are the largest users of blood donations in Australia? Or that most people who have chemotherapy need blood transfusions?

During February, Cancer Council joined forces with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to tackle cancer together – with the help of blood donors. We wanted to raise awareness of how donated blood and plasma can help people living with cancer and encourage more people to donate.

Save lives

Your donation can make a real impact. Currently, more than 10,000 blood donations are needed every week to support people living with cancer. With the number of Australians living with or beyond cancer predicted to increase by 72% by 2040, the demand for donors will only increase. 

There is a common misconception that the most blood is used in trauma and emergency situations, but a third of blood and blood products are used by cancer patients, making them Australia’s largest users of donated blood. 

Consider this: 34% of all donated blood collected in Australia will be used to treat both cancer and blood diseases. To have enough donations, we require 100,000 new donors this year alone to help meet the goal of 1.7 million donations a year – that’s one donation every three minutes!

Almost 1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85 and over 1 million Australians are currently living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis. By 2040, this number is expected to almost double.  

Despite these statistics, many Australians are unaware of how blood and plasma donations directly benefit cancer patients. This lack of awareness underscores the importance of raising awareness about the impact of blood donation. 

Did you know? On average, one acute leukaemia patient in treatment needs nine units of red cells every month, or 36 units of platelets each month. Four donors are needed to make up each bag of platelets. Patients could need one or both products for the duration of their diagnosis, which can last anywhere from eight months to years. 

Make a difference

Cancer Council’s partnership with Lifeblood Australia for the Stand up to Cancer (while sitting down) campaign raises awareness of how blood donations help people living with cancer. A limited-edition bandage designed by Beci Orpin, featuring a sunny daffodil print, was rolled onto the arms of donors at Lifeblood donor centres throughout February with 80 donations that saved 240 lives.

When you donate blood you impact the lives of people like Hannah, who is living with t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Hannah, who requires frequent blood and platelet transfusions, deeply appreciates the support of blood donors. She encourages everyone to consider donating and has been touched by the support for campaigns like the one between Cancer Council and Lifeblood. Hear more about Hannah’s story here.

Support Australians undergoing cancer treatment, schedule a donation today. Call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au, or use the DonateBlood app. Let’s stand united against cancer, one donation at a time.