Do you know how long does donated blood lasts?

Collie teacher Trevor Stace is helping the Australian Red Cross Blood Service educate people about how long donated blood lasts.

Mr Stace, who lives in Argyle, has made his 42nd blood donation which coincides with the 42 day shelf life of donated blood.

Blood Service spokeswoman Jennifer Campbell Case said a recent survey by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service showed almost 90 per cent of Australians did not know how long donated blood could last.

“Blood is a precious and finite resource, and blood donations don’t last forever.

“In fact, the red cell component of a donation only lasts 42 days,” she said.

“More than half of the respondents thought at least one in 10 people were blood donors, but the real figure is much less, only one in 30.

“We’re hoping that our new campaign, which educates donors on the 42 day shelf life of blood, will motivate more people to donate today and donate regularly.”

Mr Stace said donating blood was the easiest community service a person could do.

“Most of us want to give something back to the community, I’m a teacher and I try to give back that way, but this is really easy,” he said.

“It is something that I know is going to have instant results.

“We need more and more people donating blood, it is easy, so go out and do it.”

To donate blood visit www.donateblood.com.au.