Giving blood is easy, but many of us never think to do it. Just an hour of your time could mean the difference between life and death for another person.

• To make a donation, call 13 14 95 for your nearest donor centre or check out the Red Cross web site at www.arcbs.redcross.org.au.
• Each donation takes only 470ml for whole blood, about eight per cent of your total blood volume, or around 600ml for plasma. You can donate whole blood every 12 weeks and plasma every two weeks.
• Giving blood is safe. All equipment is sterile, used only once and discarded appropriately.
• Almost anyone can donate blood if they are between 16 (18 in Tasmania) and 70, weigh at least 45kg, meet the safety guidelines and are in good health.
• Every donation is tested for infectious diseases and blood group. You will be told if a problem is detected.
• Your single blood donation can contribute to up to eight different products and could help as many as three people.
• Every year around one million donations are needed, but only three per cent of the Australian population donate regularly.