Sixty-three per cent of respondents surveyed agreed that donating during work hours would encourage them to actively support Lifeblood, part of the Australian Red Cross. The research also found that donating blood can increase feelings of connection amongst workplace teams.
In response, Commbank, a long-term supporter of Lifeblood, took the step to organise its first dedicated team donation day – a move that saw dozens and then hundreds of staff across the bank to respond to the call, leading to the new record-setting result by a contributing company.
“The demand for blood and plasma is constant and overwhelming, and its effect is deeply impactful,” said Andrew Culleton (pictured above), CBA’s Executive General Manager of Everyday People Services, who rolled up his sleeves to donate.
“I have no doubt that many of us at CBA know someone, a family member, a friend, or a colleague – who has been the recipient of a lifesaving donation. By hosting a dedicated team donation day during work hours, we’re not just making a difference, we’re giving the gift of life, together.”
CommBank’s contribution comes as the demand for blood is at a 12-year high while plasma demand is at record levels. Each year Lifeblood needs 1.7 million donations to meet the demand for blood and blood products, equivalent to 33,000 donations every week or one donation every 18 seconds.
It is estimated that one in three Australians will need blood or blood products in their lifetime but only one in 30 currently donates. In 2023-2024, just under 560,000 people donated blood, plasma and platelets, which included 104,212 new donors. The total was the highest number in 11 years, but Lifeblood says so many more donors are needed.
“The figures shared by Lifeblood were staggering, reinforcing just how critical this need is,” said Mr Culleton. “As long-time supporters, stepping up to help therefore was an easy choice.
“The response of our people to support the one in three Australians who will need donated blood in their lifetime has been fantastic. This year we have increased the number of new CBA donors by 290%, but we know there is so much more to do.”
Lifeblood’s own research points the way as to how Corporate Australia can do its bit to meet this demand and we are very happy to play our part in this.”
Lifeblood’s Head of Donor Engagement Carley Byrnes said: “We rely on generous donors to provide vital blood products to people undergoing cancer treatment, living with blood disorders, needing surgery or even women giving birth.
“One in three people will need blood or a blood product in their lifetime and we need the support of our Lifeblood teams to ensure we can meet the demand.”
Australia’s demand for blood and plasma and how we can help
- In 2023-24, 559,222 people in Australia rolled up their sleeves and contributed 1,646,288 individual donations;
- Just over 3% of the age-eligible population in Australia donate blood;
- It’s estimated up to 57% of the adult population of Australia are eligible to donate. That's about an extra 10 million people who could donate, but don’t.
- A new blood donor is needed every 5 minutes in Australia.
- Increased hospital demand, combined with a growing and ageing population, means Lifeblood needs 100,000 new donors a year to meet the soaring demand for blood and plasma in Australia.
- Taking just one hour out of your day to donate blood can make a life-changing impact.
- Lifeblood now collects more plasma than blood, with donated plasma now used to treat more than 50 serious medical conditions.
- Every day, Lifeblood issues more than 9,500 blood and plasma transfusions and medications to Australian hospitals
- Plasma is a powerful part of blood that can be used in 18 different life-giving ways.
