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Malaria: The story of a tiny parasite with a big impact

Malaria is a disease of global significance, usually spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.

27 July 2026

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Malaria: How data drives our decision making

Every change to blood donation rules starts with the same question: can we improve donors’ experience, while keeping the blood supply safe?

27 July 2026

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What does a life-saving blood donation have to do with tick research?

Each year, many Australians get bitten by ticks. For most this isn’t a concern and they recover quickly. But some people go on to experience serious and long-lasting health issues. Let’s look at how Australian blood donors are helping find out exactly how and why ticks make people unwell in Australia.

09 July 2026

Image of two young male donors donating plasma next to each other

The research behind gender-neutral assessments

On April 20, 2026, Lifeblood changed the sexual activity eligibility questions to be gender-neutral. Join us to explore the research behind the change.

20 April 2026

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Blood donor research: The human side of blood donation

"Blood donor research? What’s that?” It’s a question we face, every time we meet someone new.

12 April 2026

How your donation could help save thousands

You already know donating blood can save up to three lives. But did you know you’re contributing to Australian research too?

29 January 2026

Mother holding small child with bottle of breast milk

What helps mums to donate their milk?

Milk donors shared their insights with us

27 January 2026

a mother sits with her child on her lap looking off camera and smiling

The mums behind milk donation

Our milk research team have dug into the records to learn more about these generous women.

14 May 2025

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Disaster-proofing our blood supply

How we're beating the weather to supply safe blood all around Australia, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

17 April 2025

Donor Faye smiling in donor chair alongside Lifeblood staff Luke

A win-win situation: Blood donation as part of your workday

Did you know that donating blood is a win for both employees and their employer? Our donor research team looked at why 300 people do or don’t donate blood as part of their workday in a national survey spanning four organisations. Here’s what we found.

Dr Wayne Dyer presenting at a conference

ABDS show and tell

We’re making the most of the samples and data that you’ve generously given for research, which will lead to more discoveries and better health for donors and all Australians.

06 March 2025

Researcher looking at a blood sample in the lab

Behind the scenes at our biobank

Your blood samples go on a surprisingly complex journey to be part of our biobank.

06 March 2025

What's next for the ABDS?

March 2025 update from the Australian Blood Donor Study

06 March 2025

a scientist is wearing a white coat and purple gloves, she is looking at a vial of blood she's holding up

What do sugar, 3D printing and stem cells have in common?

They’re all key to growing blood in the lab! It’s a futuristic concept with amazing potential to save lives. Australian Red Cross Lifeblood researchers are harnessing the latest technology to explore the world of blood grown outside of the body.

A female blood donor wearing read and smiling at the camera

We’re not the same (and it’s great!). The vital role of diversity among blood donors

Hurstville, New South Wales (NSW) is home to our newest blood donor centre. But why have we chosen to open our doors there? Learn more about how we choose the perfect spots and the role diversity plays in helping find the best blood match for more Aussies.

07 February 2025

The chronic health condition that can help save lives

Haemochromatosis is the most common genetic condition in Australia. The condition causes the body to store dangerously high levels of iron.

04 February 2025

Meet the researchers

Behind the scenes with the team.

23 August 2024

How does ABDS link to other projects at Lifeblood?

Dr Alexis Perros is a research fellow, and she's using genomic techniques and samples from the ABDS biobank to help answer questions about blood group systems and iron storage.

23 August 2024

ABDS update

Find out what we’ve found (so far) and what happens next - August 2024

23 August 2024

illustrations of two people standing next to a large sheet of paper with a red blood droplet on it

Research study update: Understanding how blood donors deal with receiving a low haemoglobin result

In August 2023 we started giving donors a letter to take to their doctor if their haemoglobin (Hb) levels were low.

03 July 2024

An illlustration of two people holding giant blood drops, against a ribbon device

Unlocking the potential of Filipino blood donors: a giving and engaging community

Did you know that blood types go beyond A, B, and O? In fact, there are over 350 different blood types, and some of those are more common in people with particular ethnic ancestry.

12 June 2024

A lady and a man wearing a headset, the lady is waving

ABDS - Frequently asked questions

I couldn’t provide a sample when I was at a donor centre and now I can’t donate, can I still be part of the study?Yes. The blood samples are just one part of the study.

21 February 2024

An illustration of a group of blood donors standing together

Nervous, relaxed, proud: Understanding novice donors’ feelings

Take home message

31 January 2024

illustration of a person holding up a large red blood droplet and a scientist in a white coat holding a magnifying glass

How does the Australian Blood Donor Study (ABDS) link to other projects at Lifeblood?

Learn more about the different projects that will depend on your survey responses and blood samples.

24 January 2024

photo of doctor surendra karki, he is wearing a blue checked shirt and glasses and smiling off camera

Meet a researcher

Behind the scenes with Dr Surendra Karki, a Lifeblood Research Fellow

24 January 2024

photo of a scientist wearing goggles and placing a box of samples into a freezer

ABDS update February 2024

Find out what we’ve found (so far) and what happens next - February 2024

24 January 2024

illustration of various environmental features including flowers, mountains, trees, clouds, the sun and a waterfall being held up by a hand

What does climate change have to do with blood donation?

Climate change has emerged as one of the greatest challenges of our time.

11 August 2023

Research study update: Beyond the iron gate

People with Hereditary haemochromatosis (HHC) who donate at Lifeblood reported that they feel more like donors than patients. This suggests that Lifeblood could change the way we communicate with them, as we currently communicate with them as “patients”. They did not know much about plasma and had mixed views on being able to donate plasma.

04 July 2023

Why plasma matters

Plasma can be a real game changer!

What would it take to get you to donate blood regularly?

One of the easiest ways to help meet demand is to encourage those who already donate to give blood more often. But what would it take to encourage regular blood donation? Why don’t we pay donors?

28 November 2022

illustration of a scientist in a white lab coat standing alongside a woman holding a large red blood droplet

Communicating with donors who have rare blood types

What does it mean to find out you’re rare? Lifeblood researchers set out to explore the experience of donors learning of their rare blood type: what it means for them, their donation behaviour and perspectives on the communications received.

07 November 2022

illustration of a donor holding a red blood droplet, standing next to them is a scientist in a white lab coat, in the background is a microscope

Research study update: ASPECT study | Antigen specific T cells for COVID-19 Therapy and the Therapeutic cell bank

Lifeblood researchers, with the help of a small number of very dedicated donors, were able to contribute to some amazing work on novel COVID-19 therapies being conducted by Associate Professor Emily Blyth and her team in the Westmead T-Cell Therapies Group (WTCG) at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research.

09 September 2022

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call and give blood

Trending research

Malaria: The story of a tiny parasite with a big impact

Malaria: How data drives our decision making

What does a life-saving blood donation have to do with tick research?

The research behind gender-neutral assessments

Blood donor research: The human side of blood donation

How your donation could help save thousands

What helps mums to donate their milk?

The mums behind milk donation

Disaster-proofing our blood supply

A win-win situation: Blood donation as part of your workday

ABDS show and tell

Behind the scenes at our biobank

What's next for the ABDS?

What do sugar, 3D printing and stem cells have in common?

We’re not the same (and it’s great!). The vital role of diversity among blood donors

The chronic health condition that can help save lives

Meet the researchers

How does ABDS link to other projects at Lifeblood?

ABDS update

Research study update: Understanding how blood donors deal with receiving a low haemoglobin result

Unlocking the potential of Filipino blood donors: a giving and engaging community

ABDS - Frequently asked questions

Nervous, relaxed, proud: Understanding novice donors’ feelings

How does the Australian Blood Donor Study (ABDS) link to other projects at Lifeblood?

Meet a researcher

ABDS update February 2024

What does climate change have to do with blood donation?

Research study update: Beyond the iron gate

Why plasma matters

What would it take to get you to donate blood regularly?

Communicating with donors who have rare blood types

Research study update: ASPECT study | Antigen specific T cells for COVID-19 Therapy and the Therapeutic cell bank

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