There is a great demand in Australia for blood donors. 1 in 3 Australians will need blood in their lifetime but only 1 in 30 actually donate.
There are many reasons why people may need blood donated by others. These may include:
-Bleeding during surgery
-Haemophilia
-Cancer
-Premature babies
-Bleeding due to an accident or injury
-Burn victims
If a person needs blood it will be received via a process called blood transfusion. The donor blood will be matched to the patients and then transfused using an injection in a vein of the arm. Healthy adults are able to donate whole blood every 12 weeks and the procedure is safe and relatively painless. Donating blood only takes around 10 minutes but you should allow at least an hour for the whole process including recovery time.
Some people are not eligible to give blood because it could jeopardize their own health. These include:
-Under 16 or over 70 years of age
-Pregnant
-Are anaemic
-Have a cold or flu (on the day or in the previous 7 days)
-Have low blood pressure
-Have recently given birth
-Weigh less than 45kg’s
-Have a heart condition
-Recent dental work
-Recent travel to certain countries
-Recently had a tattoo or body piecing
After filling in a questionnaire with a nurse you will be asked to sign a declaration stating that you meet the medical guidelines designed to protect the health of both donors and recipients. There will be a brief physical examination that includes blood pressure check, weight and haemoglobin levels. The actual donation process only takes between 5 and 10 minutes after which time you can sit back and relax with some light refreshments. 8 per cent of your total blood volume is taken and your body typically replenishes the fluid lost in 24 to 48 hours while the red blood cells lost are generally replaced in a few weeks.
