|
Please remember that even blood types which are recorded as SUFFICIENT have a limited shelf life. In order to maintain these levels, we still require daily donations of EVERY blood type. It is vital that there are optimal supplies of all blood types at all times. This ensures that the constant demand for blood and blood products is met. We encourage you to donate regularly, in the knowledge that your precious gift of blood, will make a difference to more than one person's life. Your donation may help several different people, including someone undergoing surgery; an accident victim; a recipient of an organ or bone marrow transplant; or a person affected by a blood disease, such as leukaemia or haemophilia. * I want to give blood, what do I do? The Medical Questionnaire has to be completed prior to each donation. It covers health, lifestyle, and medical questions, used to assess your eligibility to donate, and to ensure the donation is safe for both you and for recipients. All information provided is strictly confidential. Donation Day Arrival at the Donor Centre Health Check Blood donation After the donation It is recommended that donors avoid vigorous use of their arm for a few hours after donating. Additionally, alcohol should be avoided for at least eight hours. Many donors have a feeling of accomplishment and self -satisfaction after the donation. We're proud of you too. With every donation, you can save up to three lives, or contribute to 15 different forms of life saving or life improving blood products. Click here for more information on donor well being. How long does the whole donation process take? Donor safety You can also donate plasma and platelets, click here to find out more. Blood Donor Eligibility At the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, our first priority is the health and wellbeing of all people. Accordingly, we have in place guidelines that ensure you, and the recipient of your generous gift, are kept in the best possible health at all times. From January 1, 2005 the Australian Red Cross Blood Service amended its blood donor eligibility guidelines. The Haemoglobin (Hb) threshold for whole blood donors increased by 2 g/L, which will ensure that the small temporary drop in Hb experienced after blood donation, does not allow donors to fall below normal levels. • are pregnant or breast feeding • have a cold, flu, sore throat or diarrhoea • have taken antibiotics in the last 5 days • had dental work (fillings/cleaning in the last 24 hours, and 1 week for root canal treatment)
• had a tattoo • had a blood transfusion • had any piercing (except ear piercing with a disposable needle) • have been in prison or lock up • had male to male sex • had sex with a prostitute • had a partner with hepatitis B or C
• lived in the UK between 1980-1996 for a cumulative period of 6 months or more • have hepatitis B or C * Donor Wellbeing Blood donors are our greatest asset. We are therefore very anxious to ensure that you have a positive experience when you give us your blood and time. Here are some tips on what you can do to help your body prepare for the donation, and to recuperate after the donation. Before your donation You should make sure that you drink plenty of water, and have something substantial to eat, before you donate. Water and juices will help against dehydration, and will increase your blood flow during the donation, reducing the actual bleeding time. Eating something substantial and healthy before the donation, dramatically reduces the risk of reactions. After your donation Continue to drink lots of fluid, and avoid drinking vast amounts of alcohol. Water and juices will help replacing some of your lost fluids. Additionally, don't get involved in any strenuous activities for at least twelve hours after being bled. Also avoid using your punctured arm to carry heavy materials. We advise further, to keep your arm clean, and to dry it properly after washing, to help the healing. Usually, the dressing can be taken off after six hours. If your arm should start bleeding, raise it above your head, and hold something very firmly over the needle puncture for at least 10 minutes. Bruising of the arm can occur. In case excessive bruising appears, please notify the Blood Service, and if necessary, see your doctor. Usually, the bruising will fade and disappear over a period of days. The puncture usually heals quickly, but if you have any pain, redness, swelling or discharges, please contact the Blood Service. Between your donations We aim to keep you feeling good and healthy. A healthy lifestyle, which includes healthy food and exercise, is beneficial for everyone, but especially for you as a blood donor. One important part of a healthy and agile lifestyle, is to have sufficient haemoglobin and blood iron levels. Low haemoglobin levels, reduce your oxygen carrying capacity. Click here to view details on the importance of iron, haemoglobin and some great iron-rich recipes from Australian Red Cross Blood Service and Nutrition Australia. * The Benefits of Giving Blood Giving blood is a great thing to do. By making a blood donation, you are not only helping save the lives of people you will never meet; you're also doing yourself a good turn. A regular check-up Looking after your heart A donation you can afford Who does your blood help? There are many different uses for your blood donation. Your blood might be made into lifesaving or life improving medication for people with cancer, anaemia, haemophiliacs or ill newborn babies just to name a few. It could also be used for emergency or elective surgery, and help people with organ or heart diseases, burn victims or accident victims. By separating whole blood into its components, it is possible to use a single donation for the treatment of several patients. Each donation you give is very precious; it helps not only people in emergencies, but also helps those who rely on regular transfusions to survive. Click here to see more detail about how your blood is used. * About Plasma and Platelet Donation What is involved in donating plasma? Plasma donations are made through a process called Apheresis' (pronounced a-fur-resis). In order to become a plasma donor, you need to give at least one whole blood donation in the last 12 months. Similar to whole blood donation, plasma donors are required to complete the Donor Questionnaire, interview and haemoglobin (finger prick) test. We take around 650mL of plasma in the collection, which is equivalent to the amount of plasma collected from 3 whole blood donations. We recommend you allow 1.5 hours for the process, as you will need to fill in paperwork, and take some time to relax after your donation. The actual donation period is around 40 minutes. What happens during the donation? During a plasma donation, whole blood is drawn from one arm, into a sterile collection kit inside a cell separating machine. The machine separates the blood, so that only plasma is collected. The other blood components (red and white cells, and platelets) are returned to you through the same line. Because your red cells are returned to you when you give plasma donation, you are able to donate every two to three weeks. You are under no obligation to continue as a plasma donor, and can return to donating whole blood at any time. The plasma donation process is extremely safe, and carried out by expert trained staff. For more information on becoming a plasma donor, please phone 13 14 95. What are platelets? Why do we need platelet donations? A platelet transfusion can be the difference between life and death. Diseases such as leukaemia, and medical treatments like chemotherapy, can decrease a person's platelet count. If the number of platelets becomes too low, spontaneous bleeding can occur. Even a small amount of bleeding can be dangerous, particularly if it occurs in the brain. There are also times when platelets may be needed for accident victims. The demand for platelets is ongoing. However, the need becomes more acute, around long weekends, and holidays such as Christmas and Easter. The limited shelf-life of platelets (5 days), together with fewer collection days before and after public holidays, place extreme pressure on our "bank" of platelets. Australian Red Cross Blood Service is seeking people willing to be called in for platelet donation, at critical times, when our normal platelet stocks are low. "Plateletpheresis" (pronounced: platelet-fur-resis) is the process of collecting platelets, using a special cell-separator or "apheresis" machine. The machine spins the blood, to separate the platelets from the other components. The platelets are collected, and the remaining components returned to the donor. Inside the cell-separator is a closed, sterile system of plastic bags and tubing, that is used only once, and then disposed of after use. There is no risk of infection to you. The process is repeated until enough platelets are collected. This usually takes just over an hour. You can sit back in comfort throughout the procedure, and read a book, or just relax. Who can donate platelets? Registered whole blood and plasmapheresis donors can donate platelets, as long as they don't have any illness, or take medication that may affect their platelets. Can I donate? Generally speaking, if you:
Chances are, you can be a blood donor! Some illnesses or activities can affect whether or not you can give blood safely. Here are some general guidelines, and for any further information, please call 13 14 95. If you have donated blood and become ill, please call us as soon as possible. Antibiotics - wait for five days after you finish the course. Body piercing - if performed with clean, single-use (disposable) equipment, you can donate plasma only for 12 months. Otherwise, you will need to wait for 12 month before donating. Chicken Pox - you will need to wait until you are well, and all spots are clean and dry. Colds - wait until you have recovered. Coldsore - you will be able to donate when sores are clean and dry. Diabetic - if you are diet controlled, or take medication orally, you should be able to donate. If you are on Insulin therapy, or if your diabetes has led to other complications, your ability to donate may be affected. Please call 13 14 95 for more information. Dental Treatment - for treatment such as cleaning, fillings and braces, you will need to wait for 24 hours. Please call 13 14 95 for limitations that apply for other treatments. Diarrhoea - you will need to wait for up to four weeks after recovery. Call 13 14 95 for more details. Drug use (recreational) - you may still be able to donate blood, as long as you are not under the influence at the time. This will depend on what drug is taken, and how often it is used. Please call 13 14 95 for further information. Ear piercing - if performed with clean, single-use (disposable) equipment, you can donate after 24 hours. Otherwise you will need to wait 12 months. Glandular fever - you will need to wait until you have recovered. Tattoos - you will need to wait 12 months before donating. * What happens when I donate Blood? Want to donate? You must:
Donating Blood Drink and Eat
Arrive and answer some questions
Chat to a Nurse
Give up your blood
Chill out
Your blood is tested
Save a life…or maybe 3! Due to modern processing, we can separate blood into its various components, and make up to 20 different products. This means every donation can help as many as 3 different people. Your blood donation WILL go far… you will be someone's hero! * Get Involved Be a hero!… Becoming a regular blood donor means that you can be a hero to up to 3 different people, every time you donate blood. Each donation you give is separated in to 3 parts - red blood cells, plasma and platelets. These components can be given to 3 different seriously ill people, to save their lives, or improve their quality of life. It takes only a short time to make a big difference. Check out our donation page to get a feel for what will happen when you donate for the first time. You can also get involved by becoming a youth ambassador, and organising a blood drive at your school or uni. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 13 14 95 or sign up online. If you live in NSW, QLD, WA or VIC, you will need to download the Parent Consent Form from the links and download section. Frequently asked questions and answer sheet for youth donations is also available to download. Top Ten Reasons to Donate Blood 1) You will get free snacks after donating. 2) You might be able to get some time off school. 3) It's quick and easy. It doesn't take long, and you can donate at a Donor Centre, or at one of our Mobile Units. 4) You can spare it! Most people have got enough blood to spare … but there are lots more people that need it. 5) You will get lots of sympathy from your friends and family when they see the band-aid. 6) Only 3% of the population give blood regularly. Become one of an exclusive group. 7) Impress your friends by saving lives! Who does my blood help? 8) 80% of the population will need blood or blood products at some stage in their lives. That means that someone close to you (or even yourself) at some stage, may rely on blood and blood products for survival. 9) You will be someone's hero - you may help a newborn, a child, a mother, an accident victim, or someone with cancer, get another chance at life. 10) It feels great to donate! Top Ten Excuses Not To Donate Blood 1) I'm scared of needles… There are not many people that LIKE needles! However, most people report that all you feel is an initial pinch, and once the needle is in, you won't feel anything. Once you have donated, you'll wonder why you did not do it sooner! 2) I'm too busy. 3) There always seems to be enough blood… 4) I have already given once, isn't that enough? 5) I am scared that I will catch something. 6) You don't need my blood - it's not rare. 7) I don't have any blood to spare. 8) I don't want to feel weak afterwards. 9) They won't want MY blood - I've had glandular fever, chicken pox, suffer from heart problems etc… 10) I'm too young to give blood. * Corporate Donations Program Why you should support us Why support the Blood Service
What can the Blood Service give back to your Organisation?
Why support a not-for profit organisation?
How you can support us What is the Blood Service's Corporate Program?
Will it cost the Organisation anything?
What does a coordinator do?
OK, sign us up!
Courtesy Bus Service
Large Mobile Unit
Small Mobile Unit
Western Sydney Donormobile
Static Sites:
Sydney CBD Donor Centre, 153 Clarence St Sydney Liverpool Donor Centre, Unit 4/50 Macquarie St Liverpool, and Nepean Donor Centre, Cnr Derby and Parker Sts Nepean Hospital Chatswood Donor Centre, 1 Spring St Chatswood, **** Southern Region **** For Corporate Program information regarding our Albury, Dubbo, Goulburn, Griffith, Orange and Wagga Donor Centres, please contact Ronnie Williams on (02) 4225 0236 **** South Coast ***** Wollongong is serviced by a Mobile Unit and a static site. For information regarding these services, and the Corporate Program please call Richard Webb on (02) 4225 0232 **** ACT **** **** Central Coast and Hunter Region **** For Corporate Program information regarding our Wyong, Woy Woy, Gosford, Newcastle, Maitland and Cessnock Donor Centres please call Kristen Schiemer on (02) 4907 7743 **** North Coast and Northern Region ***** For Corporate Program information regarding our Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Kempsey, Lismore, Murwillimbah, Port Macquarie, Tamworth and Taree Donor Centres please call Jemma Falkenmire on 4907 7747 Click here to send an enquiry. * Our Services Every year, thousands of Australians are the recipients of blood and life-giving products, made from donated blood. Some are victims of accidents, others victims of diseases. They range from the very old, to babies born with immune deficiency disorders; from patients undergoing routine surgery, to those battling long-term illness, such as cancer or kidney failure. All these people rely on the goodwill of voluntary blood donors - the unsung heroes of our community. Less than 3% of Australians give blood regularly. Yet thanks to their generosity and strong community spirit, Australia is one of the few countries in the world that is mostly self-sufficient in blood and blood products. Australian Red Cross Blood Service is the national Organisation, responsible for the provision of quality blood products, tissues and related services Australia-wide. We collect, screen, process and distribute the blood generously donated. We operate on the principle that blood donated by voluntary donors, should be freely available to all who need it. In addition to blood collection and distribution, the Blood Service performs other vital functions to help the community:
****************************** This Community Support Website is |
|
Australian Red Cross Blood Service We exist to save lives! |
