Donating blood saves lives

Chances are, you or someone you care about will need donated blood in their lifetime.  According to Lifeblood Australia, 1 in 3 of us will. 

For me, that person was my friend Jade. Born with cystic fibrosis, Jade underwent a double lung transplant and required a blood transfusion.

Since her transplant and because of her weakened immunity, she also requires monthly intravenous immunoglobin therapy (IVIg). Her treatment is prepared from a pool of plasma collected from donated blood. The concentrated collection of antibodies is then given to Jade every month to help her strengthen her immune system.

“When you donate blood, you’re quite literally saving my life,” Jade says. “To the people who take the time to sit there and donate blood to help save or extend someone’s life they will never meet — thank you.”   

While many of us will need blood or know someone who will, research conducted by Lifeblood Australia revealed Australians are unaware just how much we need.

It turns out 1 in 3 of us may need a blood transfusion, but only 3% of us donate. And although Australia’s population has grown by over 3 million in the past 10 years, the amount of blood donors hasn’t.

As Cath Stone, executive director of donor services at Lifeblood, says: “Our existing blood donors can’t do it alone.”

My donation to-do list

When my daughter was born, the doctor told us she had liquid gold running through her veins. Turns out, like only 7% of Australians, she has O negative blood, the universal blood type which can be given to anyone and is often needed for emergencies.

I decided then and there I should set a good example and donate blood, so when she’s old enough and ready, she would too.

Of course, life seems to have gotten in the way and seven years later that box has still never been ticked.

But knowing just one of my donations can save up to three lives and could literally be the lifeblood of my friend Jade, I thought it was well past time to check my eligibility and book myself into the donor centre in Melbourne. 

Who is eligible to donate blood?

Your eligibility to donate will depend on several factors, including your medical, travel and sexual history. If you’re 18–75 years old, have no health concerns, and weigh over 50 kg, you might be eligible to donate blood.

Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible to donate blood. The criteria to donate is reviewed regularly and helps keep donors and recipients safe; it’s not intended to be discriminatory.

If you’ve previously found that you weren’t eligible to donate blood, and you’re still interested in doing so, it could be worth checking your eligibility again, as the criteria does change.

For example, in 2021, the postponement for donating blood, plasma, and platelets for those with a sexual activity-based risk factor was reduced from 12 months to three months since the last sexual contact.

Just last year, a Lifeblood survey found more than 15% of Australians still believe having a tattoo means you can’t donate blood. You can — you just need to wait four months. But you can donate plasma immediately after getting a tattoo at a licensed tattoo parlour in Australia. The process for donating plasma is similar to donating blood, and it can be used in up to 18 different ways, including to benefit people with chicken pox, liver disease, tetanus infections, haemophilia, or severe burns.

You can check your eligibility to donate blood (and plasma) via a quick questionnaire on Lifeblood’s website. 

What happens when you donate blood?

On the day of your donation, you can prepare by drinking three glasses of water, having something to eat, and avoiding strenuous exercise. It’s also a good idea to write down any medicines that you’re taking, including the dose, so you can inform your donation team on arrival.

You should put aside around one hour for the entire process. This includes taking time to answer a few questions and a quick check-in with one of Lifeblood’s nurses.

The donor centre aims to withdraw around 470ml which is about 8% of the average adult’s blood volume. The incredible part is that within 24–48 hours of donating, your body will have fully restored your blood volume.  

I was a little nervous the morning of my own donation, but doing a good thing can sometimes be a little scary. 

I’m pleased to say, the process was a lot easier than I thought it would be — something that gets said at Lifeblood a lot. You can sit back and relax on a comfy couch while you donate. You can read, chat with the team members or enjoy entertainment options on offer. Team members will keep a close eye on you while you donate to make sure you're okay.

The actual blood withdrawal only took about 10 minutes and — hand on heart — I didn’t really feel a thing. When you’re done, you’ll be asked to rest on the couch for 5–10 minutes, then it’s onto the refreshments area where you can enjoy a complimentary drink and some tasty snacks.

The thing I’ll remember most though was the feel-good factor that floods your body afterwards. Turns out, saving lives feels pretty bloody awesome. 

Every drop counts

Have you ever wondered how blood donations get used? Here’s a breakdown of where blood donations in Australia are needed most.

• 34% Cancer and blood diseases.
• 19% Anaemia and other needs.
• 18% Heart, organ and other non-orthopaedic surgeries.
• 13% Stomach, kidney and other diseases. 
• 10% Fractures and joint replacement. 
• 4% Helping pregnant women, new mothers, young children.
• 2% Road incidents and other trauma. 

We’re all someone’s type

There are eight main blood types. Some are rarer than others and some are more versatile, but all of them have the potential to save a life. Check out yours below.

Blood type / % of population

• O + (37%): More than 1/3 of Australians share your blood type. 
• O – (7%): Your blood can be given to anyone! 
• A + (31%): Because you’re blood type is popular, you can save a lot of lives. 
• A – (6%): Between your blood and plasma, you can help almost anyone! 
• B + (12%): Your plasma can be given to 60% of people. 
• B – (2%): You’re a gem, a rare find. 
• AB + (4%): You’re a crowd pleaser as your plasma can be given to anyone! 
• AB – (1%): The rarest of them all and your plasma can be given to anyone! 

Check your eligibility

Ready to roll up your sleeve? If you’re 18–75 years old, have no health concerns, and weigh over 50 kg, you might be eligible to donate blood. Take Lifeblood’s eligibility quiz to find out.