People who are irregular blood donors are now being told by text where their donation went as part of a new national campaign for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

Just 3 per cent of Australians give blood, but 25,000 donations are needed each week.

Like many people, I have often wondered where and how my blood is used once I've left the donation centre — now I know.

I recently gave blood in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, for the first time in many years.

I did not book a follow-up appointment, but one week later I got a text message saying that my blood donation was already at work, saving lives at Logan Hospital, south of Brisbane.

I must admit, it gave me a boost — I felt like I had made a difference in someone's life.

It is irregular donors like me that the blood service is trying to target in its national SMS campaign.

ABC reporter Ellie Sibson gives blood at the Ipswich donor centre. ( ABC News: Stephen Cavenagh )

Text messages help donations frequency double in NSW

People who roll up their sleeves to donate whole blood or platelets are now sent a text message, telling them which hospital their blood was used at.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service spokeswoman Jemma Falkenmire said when the campaign was trialled in New South Wales last year, donation frequency doubled.

"We were overwhelmed — we received more than 10,000 positive responses from our donors almost as soon as we implemented it, which is what motivated us to roll it out nationally," she said.

"We know that people come in to donate blood — not only to save lives but because they feel good when they do it — so that text message is really a reminder of that good feeling of what it was like to save lives."

Donor Stacey Cornford's blood was sent to Redcliffe Hospital, north of Brisbane.

"At first I looked at it and thought: 'is that for real?' And then figured that yes, it was," she said.

"It's personal and they've taken the time out to match your donation with where it is going and to let you know that as well — it's not often that you get feedback about those kinds of things."

Stacey Cornford's blood was sent to Redcliffe Hospital, north of Brisbane. ( ABC News: Ellie Sibson )

Fellow donor Karrie Brennan said her blood was used locally.

"It's gone to a hospital in Brisbane which is right near where I live — it could have been someone I knew even, which is crazy," she said.

"It makes me feel more inclined to donate as well because the blood is being used and I know it's gone somewhere special."

Blood text 'made a difference'

I'd like to think I would not need a personalised reminder to make sure I booked an appointment to give blood again, but I have to say it had made a difference.

My next appointment is booked for four weeks' time.