Donate Blood Today.
Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. This lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. The need for blood is constant. But only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly.
Just one blood donation could save three lives.
Donate Blood Today
Donate blood at your local blood donation center today. You could save a life.
If you are located in Australia, click here to donate blood.
Arthur Bozikas OAM, JP, FAIM, FGIA
Arthur Bozikas on the importance of blood donations
“Things are scary and confusing in the midst of a pandemic. My family are even scared and confused about whether they should donate blood. On top of that, some of them are also afraid of needles or the sight of blood. But once I told them my story, unexpectedly they didn’t hesitate and they all donated blood regardless of their fears. We need to use these stories to influence each other, and if we can influence the government along the way, that would be great too.
People regularly require blood due to car accidents, surgeries, medical conditions or for whatever reason and this demand doesn’t stop or slow down in a pandemic, yet people are afraid to donate blood during a pandemic. Even more scary than giving blood is to one day find out you need a blood transfusion only to be told that the blood supplies are too low and they don’t have your blood product. So, give blood, because the life you may save could be your own!
Now an author, I’ve dedicated my books to all past, present and future blood donors for their precious generosity. I have a passion for action writing, but their actions have and will always continue to save lives all around the world. I consider them all to be the true action heroes!”
ABC ‘AM’ PODCAST
The big number of COVID cases is affecting the number of people who can donate blood, with thousands of appointments left empty every day.
To try to tackle that, the Red Cross is changing the rules about how quickly you can resume donations if you’ve had COVID.
Duration: 3min 47sec
Blood donations drop through Omicron wave
Alexia Attwood is an ABC television, radio and digital journalist and producer in Sydney. She has worked as a reporter across Australia in Darwin, Mount Gambier and Karratha.
Stephanie Borys is a political reporter in the ABC’s Parliament House bureau in Canberra. She reports for the network’s radio current affairs programs AM, The World Today and PM. Stephanie won the Brian White Memorial Award in 2010, and was a finalist the following year. She has also been nominated for a NSW Kennedy Award for outstanding radio reporting.
IN THE MEDIA
ABC News: Blood donations drop through Omicron wave
The big number of COVID cases is affecting the number of people who can donate blood, with thousands of appointments left empty every day.
“Car accidents are not going to stop, cancer is not going to stop, patients like myself are going to continue needing blood,” Mr Bozikas told ABC News.
Greek Herald: Australian Red Cross to allow blood donations sooner after having COVID-19
Although Arthur Bozikas was told he wouldn’t live to experience adulthood, medical discoveries and over 700 blood transfusions since birth have seen him live a fulfilling life.
But as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Australia, the number of blood donations continues to drop, jeopardising the lives of people like Mr Bozikas.
Donate Blood Today
Donate blood at your local blood donation center today. You could save a life.
If you are located in Australia, click here to donate blood.
‘BLOOD BROTHERS’ PODCAST
Duration: 6min 24sec
Broadcast: Mon 9 Jan 2017
Health Report
Peter Karamihalis – Born 1959
Arthur Bozikas OAM – Born 1961
Professor Joy Ho AM
MBBS(Syd) DPhil(Oxon) FRACP FRCPA FFSc(RCPA)
Clinical Professor, University of Sydney
Head of Department, Haematology and Director of Research
Institute of Haematology
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Peter Karamihalis and Arthur Bozikas are Beta Thalassemia Major patients at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
At the time of recording this broadcast, they were both in their late fifties. They met as kids getting monthly blood transfusions – they’ve been through a lot together, and have a pretty special bond to show for it.
Donate Blood Today
Donate blood at your local blood donation center today. You could save a life.
If you are located in Australia, click here to donate blood.
‘FEAR TO FIRE!’ PODCAST
Blood donation saves lives!
Today’s From Fear to Fire special guest knows the miracle that comes from those who donate.
Because of a rare genetic blood disorder, Arthur Bozikas OAM, had to endure many, many transfusions…and was told he wouldn’t live past his early 20s.
At the time of this interview, he’s 60 and has made some incredible contributions from this miracle. Among them include his work as CEO for a disability organization, supporting disadvantaged people and his three books. Most recent being Iron Boy which powerfully tells his story.
Duration: 27min 12sec
Broadcast: Thurs 10 March 2022
Living a Miracle with Arthur Bozikas
Heather Hansen O’Neill is an award-winning speaker and author who fires up organizations and corporations on leadership, team development, and change management.
Sunrise on 7 host David Koch with Arthur and Helen for an interview.
Bondi Rescue star Bruce Hopkins 'Hoppo' with Arthur at a recent promotion together.
ENQUIRIES
For enquires about appearances: All interviews including motivational and guest speaker, please contact Arthur using the contact page.