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- Australia has one of the safest blood supply systems in the world.
- You can donate whole blood every 12 weeks.
- O negative blood is universal and can be given to anyone.
- Plasma and platelet donations can be made every 2 weeks.
- Every whole blood donation can save 3 lives.
- 1 in 3 people will need blood. Only 1 in 30 gives blood.
- Australia needs over 27,000 blood donations every week.
- 470mL of blood is collected when you give whole blood.
- Within 24-48 hours of giving blood, your blood volume is completely restored.
- Giving blood only takes about an hour.
- Plasma donations can be used to make 17 different products.
- Red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days.
- 34% of donated blood goes towards helping cancer patients.
- You can start giving blood at 16.
- The blood service has been collecting blood for over 80 years.
- You can donate double platelets – helping twice as many people.
- Platelets have a shelf life of only 5 days.
Home › Haemoglobin - I've been told by my doctor that my haemoglobin is low/I have anaemia. Am I eligible to donate?
Haemoglobin - I've been told by my doctor that my haemoglobin is low/I have anaemia. Am I eligible to donate?
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Haemoglobin is a protein which contains iron. It is packaged in red blood cells and its function is to transport oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of low haemoglobin.
The Blood Service requires a finger prick test before every donation to ensure donors have an acceptable haemoglobin level.
If you have been diagnosed with anaemia or low haemoglobin, you can’t donate until it has been fully investigated and appropriately treated.
Take a look at recipes for meals high in iron.
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