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 7th 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 resultsUniversity State Donations

Adelaide University SA 54

Australian National University ACT 47

Bond University QLD 6

Deakin University VIC 66

Flinders University SA 10

Griffith University QLD 111

James Cook University QLD 107

Melbourne University VIC 8

Monash University VIC 64

University of New England NSW 32

University of New South Wales NSW 38

University of Newcastle NSW 20

University of Notre Dame, Fremantle WA 18

University of Notre Dame, Sydney NSW 8

University of Queensland QLD 19

University of Sydney NSW 15

University of Tasmania TAS 31

University of Western Australia WA 110

University of Western Sydney NSW 86

University of Wollongong NSW 8

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 16-70 years (in QLD and WA 16-17 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 www.donateblood.com.au

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 www.donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95

Track your MedSoc’s progress at: www.amsa.org.au/amsa-national-blood-drive

11 July – 31 August 2011