90 years later in 2019, more than 523,688 people donated blood in Australia. A service formed around a small group of voluntary donors in Melbourne has evolved into one of our most important public health resources. The voluntary, non-remunerated process of donating blood in Australia is key to why we're not a bank.
Australian donors receive no material compensation – money or otherwise – for their time or plasma. This is despite the fact that about half of the plasma used in Australia is currently provided by paid overseas donors, primarily from the US, who on average receive $50 each time they donate.
Donors may be paid for plasma or red cells destined for research, but the amount can be different on the type of donation. Blood is broken down into packed red blood cells and plasma when it is initially processed.
Australia is self-sufficient in fresh blood products. Each year, 1 in 30 people give blood (3% of Australians). We always need more blood donors, to make sure we continue to have enough for those who need it.
How often can I give blood? Every 12 weeks. If you're keen to donate more often, you can give plasma every two weeks.
AB negative is the rarest of the eight main blood types - just 1% of our donors have it. Despite being rare, demand for AB negative blood is low and we don't struggle to find donors with AB negative blood. However, some blood types are both rare and in demand.
How much iron do I lose when donating blood or platelets? Each time you donate blood, you lose between 220-250 mg of iron. If you donate a Power Red, you lose twice that amount, about 470 mg of iron. It may take up to 24-30 weeks for your body to replace the iron lost through a blood donation.
After a donation, most people's haemoglobin levels are back to normal after 6 to 12 weeks. This is why we ask donors to wait for a minimum of 12 weeks between donations (12 weeks for men and 16 weeks for women) to ensure that we don't risk lowering your haemoglobin levels over the long term.
A study by the University of San Diego found that donating one pint of blood “burns” between 600 and 650 calories.
Type O positive blood is given to patients more than any other blood type, which is why it's considered the most needed blood type. 38% of the population has O positive blood, making it the most common blood type.
Only 7% of the population are O negative. However, the need for O negative blood is the highest because it is used most often during emergencies. The need for O+ is high because it is the most frequently occurring blood type (37% of the population). The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood.
O negative blood is valuable because it can be transfused to anyone, regardless of their blood type.
The average Australian Red Cross Lifeblood salary ranges from approximately $51,932 per year for Medical Technologist to $145,413 per year for Service Manager. Average Australian Red Cross Lifeblood hourly pay ranges from approximately $30.68 per hour for Service Assistant to $39.12 per hour for Registered Nurse.
Under the current system, the state and federal governments jointly pick up the bill for all blood supplied by the Red Cross to public and private hospitals in NSW. For public hospitals, the price of the blood they require is incorporated into the budgets given to them by the state government.
You must be in good health at the time you donate. You cannot donate if you have a cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection. If you have recently had a tattoo or body piercing you cannot donate for 6 months from the date of the procedure.
It is also important to watch your diet after you donate. Most clinics will provide sugary snacks after the donation. This helps to keep you from getting dizzy or having other problems due to low glucose levels. Staying hydrated is also vital because water is one of the most important components of blood.
Don't do any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day. If the needle site starts to bleed, apply pressure and raise your arm straight up for 5-10 minutes or until bleeding stops.
3) Steer clear of fatty foods
Going through your favorite drive-thru or grabbing that bag of chips and ice cream can usually be the easiest options. Just remember though, eating too much greasy food and sweets can lead to high blood sugar, cholesterol, and numerous health problems.
Be aged between 18 and 75 years (other rules may apply if you are a current donor). Weigh at least 50kg. Have normal temperature and blood pressure. Additional screening measures are in place due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused.
Lower oxygen carrying capacity of the blood due to decreased red cell volume after a donation (specifically, less oxygen getting to your tissues) can make you feel tired while your body replenishes the lost red cells.
The body can detoxify itself naturally (e.g., with help from your liver), but giving blood may help your body's detoxing potential. For example, blood (and plasma) donations have been shown to have an effect on the levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).
Yes. Menstruating doesn't affect your ability to donate. Enjoy your relaxing time on the donation couch and a tasty snack afterwards. As someone who menstruates, it's a good idea to check out our information about iron.