Last time I donated, I had a bit of a strange turn trying to get home afterwards. I felt totally fine for the 15-20 minutes I stayed at the centre, fine again going to a couple of shops and then passed out at the bus stop on the way home (about an hour after I left the centre). A pair of older ladies bought me a bottle of juice and kept an eye on me until my BIL was able to pick me up, by which point I felt fine again. I would like to donate again but my turn was a bit scary for me and I'm too nervous. I tend towards both low blood sugar and low iron (was normal at my last test but borderline), so I think one or the other may have contributed.
I feel guilty every time I see an ad for blood donation, because it's such a good thing to do and I know not enough people do it.
Someone else mentioned in this feed they have ‘vasovagal syncope’. This may also apply to you. Similarly to you I’ve experienced delayed loss of consciousness after blood tests, Pap smears, and yes, the one and only time I tried (and failed) to give blood; all vasovagal syncope.
This is something I have to tell clinicians every time I go for any jabby-jabby pokey-pokey healthcare procedure. Mainly so there’s no panic when they realise I’m not responding to questions because I’m no longer awake 😂
You can always stay longer if you need to, also I donated and fainted (for like maybe one second) but because I had driven to my appointment they insisted on giving me a cab charge card to get me home for free - they were also happy to have my car stay in the carpark until I could get a lift to pick it up the next afternoon.
Not trying to push you if you truly are uncomfortable, but if you do want to donate I'm sure you could tell them about your experience last time and they would be more than happy to help out - keep an extra eye on you and also give you a cab charge to get you home safe.
Oh my god same! I remind all my friends to go when I see a van.
It used be 45kg minimum, which may have been achieveable for me if I hit the gym but they raised it to 50 so I got no chance. It's a real bummer.
Even before I became a vegetarian and developed iron and B12 deficiency (at least that I'm aware of), I donated blood once, went home, and collapsed while talking to my mom in the kitchen. I don't do okay losing that amount of blood, apparently.
I suffered from that, needles I could do with much anxiety but refused to do blood tests from when I was 16-30 I would faint at the mere thought of blood tests. Then I got cancer and my phobia completely dissipated to the point where I can give myself needles. Blood test are no issue as well, it’s amazing how the body and mind can adapt when it has to.
I fainted the first time and got woozy the second time. By the third I was fine. It’s just conditioning. The way I see it, it’s a hell of a lot less suffering than the people getting my blood are going to experience if I don’t donate.
The first COVID jab, I went to a drive thru, thinking I would overcome my fear of needles and all would be fine. I think about 10 mins after the jab, I felt like I was about to faint. So I waved down the nurse, and of course, given it was early days, adverse reactions were a big concern, and so 2 doctors and 3 nurses swooped over. I knew it was vasovagal syncope, and they probably figured likewise, but I'm guessing they had to play it safe. The drive thru was quite open, so for an observer in the queue, they must have been worried it was an adverse reaction, watching my car get swarmed with medicos and a crash cart 😅
The second jab, I decided to do it at my GP, and I asked to lie down, and it was fine.
The third jab, I figured, I'd overcome my fears. I told the doctor about how I wanted to overcome my fears and we agreed I would sit. Once again, it seemed fine, but about 10 mins later, I felt light headed again and had to lie down.
More recently, I had to get a number of blood tests done, and each time, I asked the phlebotomist if I could lie down, and everytime, picking up on my needle anxiety, they've been super friendly, and I've walked out without incident. I was tempted at my most recent test to ask to do it sitting to once again, try and overcome my needle fears, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Unfortunately (or fortunately), my last blood test came back okay and that was the end of that chapter.
I've always wanted to donate blood and knowing that lying down is a strategy makes me think I should be able to donate blood if I lie down, but the thought of having the needle stuck in me for so long (as opposed to a quick jab or a quick draw), and knowing the volume that's going out makes me anxious. Even thinking about it makes my hands feel slightly numb.
I developed anxiety around having bloods/venipuncture done. Caused me to get lightheaded and palpitations. It's quite embarrassing cause I'm a nurse, and I have no idea where it came from.
Nup, I don’t donate blood. Tried it once and never again, too many questions… like “Whose blood is this?”, “Where did you get it from?” And “Why’s it in a bucket?”
I have very difficult veins to get at. I went to donate when I turned 18 and they spent 20 minutes stabbing me and wriggling the needle around in both arms before giving up. It has made me nervous about going for another attempt.
I have veins like this, blood tests are a nightmare. I try all the tricks, but still usually have to return 2-3 times before someone can get any blood out of me. I don't blame you for being nervous; if I could donate I'm honestly not sure I'd try. I hate the feeling of the needle being moved trying to find a vein so freaking much.
Fun fact; the term anesthesiologist is an American word for the specialty. In Aussieland and quite a few other places the term anaesthetist is used.
Not trying to be a grammar nazi either; had a friend go into the specialty and was very firmly and fairly corrected to the point that I will never EVER forget 😆.
I have this issue, even had the issue of them getting the needle in and getting blood, then the vein was like "nope, I've had enough, no more blood for you!"
Because I have regular bloody tests I got to ask one day why..... apparently having about 1L of water before helps.... and my experience is yes, it works. Something to think about even for having blood tests.
So the [Mad Cow](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/vital-reads/uk-blood-donation-mad-cow-rule-has-changed-for-good) rules for Poms were lifted last year, here's the eligibility link in case anyone needs to know [https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility)
I couldn’t for years because I grew up in the Uk. I signed up tho last year and the closest place to me is a 35klm round trip and I live 12klms from the cbd. So I’m centrally located. I had a reason to go to this suburb tho but it abruptly and without warning ended. I know it’s lazy but if it was closer I’d definitely go regularly. I’m O negative too.
Yea tbh, that's a pain.. Have they set up any mobile blood drives nesr you? Lifeblood has a pop up blood centre in my local community library. I have to travel about that round trip (on freeways mind you) for my donations, but I'm B+ and Lifeblood will always try to get me to convert to plasma I'd i try to donate whole blood lol
I fainted both times and they said don't come back. I'm not squeamish either. I'm always comfortable watching the needle go in for that or for vaccines. Not sure what triggers it.
I have this, I started dry retching getting a blood test a few years back they said my veins kept collapsing. I think I just about fainted because the chair I was in was suddenly pushed into a reclining position. The last time I had a blood test the pathologist must have seen my face go pale and said it might be better if I lie down while taking the samples to which I agreed instantly.
The mere thought of it makes my knees wobbly.
I started donating blood at 16 because I was deathly afraid of needles. I've donated more blood than I actually have at any given moment. I don't donate whole blood anymore because a few years back, Red Cross stopped accepting whole blood from AB+ donors, which is what I am. They still accept plasma and platelets, however I have somewhat high red blood cells, so I need to get rid of some every now and then, and doing this would make it much worse for me, so now I just don't donate. I know there's a whole thing with the high ferretin donation whatever, I'm trying to work it out with my doctor, but for now, they don't want my blood and I'm not able to give it to them anyway
Yeah haha. For AB+ we're actually quite a rare blood type (2nd rarest I think), but we are universal receivers. So we can have any blood, whereas other people can't accept our blood unless they're also AB+. And there's not many of us so AB+ blood would go to waste. They usually get enough from people donating for the first time without knowing their blood type. Sometimes the banks run low and ask me for it, but super rarely. They'd be welcome to my platelets and plasma though, I just don't want them to mess around putting the red blood cells back in when they're the one blood component I was needing to actually get rid of, y'know? Hahaha
its more a case of they want my blood (O-) for the ER where they dont always have time to test the patients blood type, the more broadly acepttad blood types mean less blood needs to be stored so less wastage,
so the less peopel blood can be given to the more likely they are to ask you for donations like plasma where blood type dosnt matter, they wont be using your blood in the ER, they will use it to make life saving medications.
I'm a haematology trainee (blood dr), so really should be a more regular donor. Oddly as a doctor, my work is the greatest limitation on donating! We have the vans visit the hospitals I've worked at over the last few years, but finding an opportunity to go down and donate has always been challenging, and you often need to book, and its hard to predict when you're going to have a reliable chance to keep a booking. I think all hospitals with blood banks should have a dedicated on site place for staff to donate. Some hospitals I've worked at (?all) have allowed you to have paid time off rather than having to go in your lunch break, so that's nice.
Thanks to everyone who does donate. If you're a young male in particular (18-35), please consider also joining the bone marrow/stem cell donation registry. We use these (mostly stem cells) to treat diseases like acute leukaemias, particularly in children. You can ask at the red cross when you're donating and they'll send samples off, or you can visit [Strength to give](https://strengthtogive.org.au/) to request a cheek swab be sent to you.
If you've any questions about marrow/stem cell donation, or blood donation, feel free to reply to this or PM me.
It's rarely bone marrow you donate though. It's almost always stem cells which are taken from your peripheral blood, not the marrow. The process (to simplify it) is you go take some medications that expand your blood cell production, and then you go onto a machine sort of like a dialysis machine where your blood comes out, filters out the larger stem cells, and then returns the rest to you along with some fluids. They closely monitor your fluid balance and electrolytes throughout and may top up other fluids/salts/etc as they go depending on what you need.
Actual bone marrow donation is more intensive. I won't scare you off with that :P But even it's not as bad as you might think, and if they're calling you up for that, it's for a good reason and probably a little kid.
I do...have done like 30 times.
I will say this, though - they are very annoying in terms of how much they nag you about booking appointments and stuff.
Totally agree. The calls are annoying.
I’ve only recently returned to donating, and I try to go every month (plasma), but if I don’t it’s usually because I’m away, too busy with work, or I’m holiday. Also my work is irregular, so scheduling in advance doesn’t work for me - I usually just book in on the day if I can.
Yes I live a long way from a donation point and am unemployed so it was costing me money in petrol and parking fees to donate, I was booking donation times for when I was passing through town but it was irregular intervals just whenever I could fit it in but they keet hounding me to schedule in regular times and didn't seem to care/understand that I could not just do that
Flight attendant and regularly travel to countries that are a no go for blood donations.
I did do it regularly during Covid when I was grounded though.
The screening questions ask if you've been outside of Australia since your last donation, or specifically Papua New Guinea in the last 3 years.
ETA: it seems that they'll only take your plasma if you've been to PNG in the last 3 years, that's why that question exists.
Just FYI for anyone reading this thread, having been outside Australia isn't automatically a disqualifier. It depends where you've been. Some places it just means you have to wait a little longer, or can only donate plasma for X weeks not whole blood. For instance, US and Canada are just a 4 week deferral from whole blood donation, but you can still do plasma. New Zealand has no deferral.
Thanks for adding that detail. ~~PNG is an automatic disqualifier, but other countries are not necessarily~~.
ETA: apparently I don't know what I'm talking about.
Ah yep recurring malaria! My sister can't donate because of that. We haven't lived there in many years, but 6-7 years ago she was told that because she had malaria while we were there, she can't donate.
Not sure if that's still the case or if she'd be allowed nowadays though. I think I'd be okay because I never got malaria, but I guess I'd still have to disclose and get them to test for it.
I donated a few times, then low iron got me banned.
Then cancer decided to keep me off the list, need to be clear for 5 years but that’s unlikely after over 8 years and multiple recurrences.
I’ve had a number of transfusions though, so am always thankful to those of you who are able and do donate.
Good on you. I have given well over 100 times, and find it satisfying in a funny way. For one thing I find the staff very pleasant, and it's something you can do for others (provided you can - no shame for those who can't for whatever reason) at no cost beyond an hour of your time now and then.
I went to donate blood in Melbourne in the Collins Street clinic about 6 years ago. I had never donated blood before but my colleagues were all doing it so I said I’m going to become a blood donor. (I hate needles by the way)
Made the appointment and went after work one day. Got there and went through the motions and admin side of it. Jumped on the bed and the nurse put the needle in, I looked away and it made me come out in a cold sweat. She gave me the squeeze ball and taped the tube connected to the needle to my arm. Every squeeze of the ball I felt my warm blood extracting from me and I didn’t like it. She set me up to leave me and as she said “don’t worry, the machine won’t take all the blood from you. It will stop when it’s had enough” I felt the warm blood again oozing up the tube. Last thing I remember is her asking me “are you ok” then waking up and not knowing where I was. Turns out I passed out hard! And took me longer than normal to come around. They kept me there for an hour. Shovelled salted chips and orange juice into me and wouldn’t let me get public transport. They gave me a cab voucher and made sure I got in one. About a month later I get a letter from the CEO of the Red Cross (I think it was) thanking me for being brave enough to come and donate blood for my first time. It also said they got 164ml of blood from me that will be utilised but unfortunately because I fainted so bad I’m now on the list of people who cannot donate blood ever again.
So my reason is the CEO said I can’t because I’m a big softy despite me being 6’4” 120kg muscular guy.
When the local unit can barely donate a unit..
I joke, but good effort for trying atleast.. I know a few units who struggle, my best mates bf is a fifo diesal mechanic about your dimensions and he pass out at the sight of a needle.
I can't.
I was going to when my nephew had leukemia over 10 years ago, and read through all of the terms and conditions before doing so... I have [Chronic Fatigue Syndrome](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/faq/eligibility/medical-conditions-and-procedures/chronic-fatigue-syndrome), so I'm not eligible to donate blood.
It's frustrating, but I get it... We still don't know what causes CFS, and it would suck if it is a blood born disease, and my donating blood caused someone else to get it.
Editing to add that I've had low iron on and off for years.
I have fibromyalgia, so I'm not allowed to donate blood for that either. To my understanding it's not that it could be bloodborne, but that you have extra risks of having a flair up because you gave blood. Or at least, that's what my rheum said.
I'm also a "man who has sex with men" and despite having a single long-time partner that also disqualifies me anyway. We'd have to remain celibate for what... 3 months? In order to be able to give blood.
The website says:
I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Can I donate?
Yes, provided you are well, and in the last 12 months have not had any symptoms or required any medication.
So... Essentially, we can't donate blood, if we've actively got fibro (I've got it too). What your rheumie said makes sense.
And yes, it's currently three months. They reduced it from a year in 2021. As much as I understand why they have all of the restrictions in place, three months does seem a bit excessive for people in monogamous relationships like you.
This is interesting, thanks for sharing. I have Me/CFS and some other chronic conditions. I stopped giving blood years ago because I was 1)scared how my body would react because I have no idea what can set off a flare up and 2) why would anyone want my blood when I have no idea what is actually going on in my body. I didn't realise CFS makes you ineligible, I feel less guilty now. I have O type blood so I really feel the pressure and guilt to donate. I hate that I had to stop.
["In a world first, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is urgently prioritising a submission from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood that all questions relating to sexual encounters be removed from the plasma donor questionnaire."](https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/world-first-move-to-lift-gay-bisexual-ban-on-blood-plasma-donation-20230317-p5ct52.html) 🤞
[https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/media-centre/media-releases/update-on-sexual-activity-blood-donation-rules-may-23](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/media-centre/media-releases/update-on-sexual-activity-blood-donation-rules-may-23)
they are
I used to go regularly when I was young, but my veins are terrible. The last time I tried to donate, six different staff tried and no one could get a vein. They ended up telling me to leave, quite rudely too. I wasn’t trying to waste their time, but I’m no longer a suitable candidate apparently.
Yep. I’ve since had quite a few blood tests at pathology labs, and I always tell the blood techs to go straight for my hands, don’t bother with the elbows. They almost always ignore me, and then get aggro when I’m correct and I end up with useless holes in both elbows. I’m a shit blood stick.
Yes I had a rude nurse last time who kept showing her frustratation and saying I hadn't drunk enough water (I had). I haven't rebooked since, especially since my work is ad hoc and I can't plan ahead to make appointments. On this occasion, this was the soonest available at a location that was really inconvenient for me, so the fact she was rude on top of that left a bad taste in my mouth.
Ours just has a handful of parking spots out the front (at whatever city parking is now per hour). They've always been full, as are all the other street parks close. I mean, I could take the bus. But I'd rather get home in 7 minutes, rather than 30+ (including the walk to/from the stop) if I felt wobbly.
I have no legitimate excuse.
I used to donate, but they changed the rules on people who were from the UK within the Mad Cow Disease (CJD) era, so I was prohibited. This has since been reversed, as I understand it. So, apathy really.
Flip side though; I worked at the blood bank as a collector, so I did my part there bleeding everyone else. So there's that.
Think I'm forever blacklisted.. 7 years ago or so I admitted I had taken a psychedelic and was instantly told I can't donate ever again.
At the time it was dmt.
I'm 0- too.
[https://www.lifeblood.com.au/faq/eligibility/lifestyle-and-identity/drug-use](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/faq/eligibility/lifestyle-and-identity/drug-use) that's changed, it's only injectible drugs that get you deferred now, and that's droped to 5 years.
From what I can tell, a lot of Australians DO donate blood a lot. The Red Cross and Hospitals just always needs more of it, it's one of those things that will always be in demand: people aren't going to stop losing blood all of a sudden. Plus, they kind of market a little \*too\* aggressively.
Wanted to explain the reasons why they push so hard.
1. Blood doesn't last forever. It degrades over time and is viable for a short time (I think a bit over a month?), before it needs to be thrown away. No one knows how much blood we'll need or what types, so lots is collected and goes to waste.
2. The Red Cross Blood Service makes money off donations. They are reimbursed by the government an amount for each donation under an agreement. They have a monopoly on this service - no one else can collect blood or plasma in Australia. The more donations the more money. The sad thing? [International imports of plasma have been shown to be cheaper to the taxpayer than domestic supply](https://theconversation.com/how-australia-can-fix-the-market-for-plasma-and-save-millions-101609).
As they are a charity, and there are strict guidelines on the agreement that they only use the money raised from donations to support the donations side of the business, I don't think it's necessarily nefarious. Just means they likely have a set of overhead costs for lifeblood (such as property rent, marketing, etc.) that they can't cover without a certain number of donations.
EDIT: updated link per bot recommendation.
I tried. 4 times. After the last one they sent me home and said don't bother, your veins are too shit. And yes I drank a lot of water the day before and the 1L before the appointment 😖
I’m a long term donor, whole blood for me as I. O- and I also don’t carry something (I never remember what it is) something that 80% of the population has. I’m referred to as a Golden Donor and my blood mostly goes to children.
I’ve not long ago made my 59th donation. I also have sucky veins which makes life difficult for the blood bank at times
Cytomegalovirus is what you dont have. And yes you are a golden donor, CMV neg and 0-..
Im surprised they havent frozen you and kept you hidden away until a baby needs blood lol
Iron deficiency plus bad with needles. My veins are tiny and roll to the point experienced blood techs haven't been able to get small samples. And I hate them digging around in there. The thought of them finally finding the vein after bruising my arms then my hands and then leaving the needle in there for the time they need...
Nah. Hubby gives enough blood for both of us.
I was banned after being diagnosed with RA.
Also, the donation vans won’t travel more than two hours or so from a fixed donation centre so that rules out most regional and all rural and remote areas.
I’ll be honest. I only donate frequently for my own benefit. I have 1 copy of a gene that causes haemochromatosis which is a condition where your body’s iron sensing proteins are messed up and you absorb too much from your diet. Normally you need 2 copies to have the condition and be at risk for iron overload but I managed to get somewhat high levels after 18 years with just one. My doctor told me to donate regularly and since then my levels have been good, I also recover very quickly from donation.
So yeah, I donate for selfish reasons.
I used to. Got up to about 25 whole blood donations. I had to stop because I was diagnosed with cancer and they don't want it anymore (fair enough). They will let me again if I'm cancer free for 5 years but my awful chemo veins just wouldn't cope now.
I did, for a bit; I think I've donated thrice from memory. But I got very into tattoos and piercings for a few years, so wasn't able to for a while. I'm now on medication, so I potentially could, but would have to check with them. Going off my meds for even a day or two IS an option, but would effect me heavily.
I do like to talk about it to people who don't have the same roadblocks as me. I've got a few friends who were on the fence, and me talking about how chill it is and how it didn't hurt (plus free cookies) apparently demystified the whole process for them.
EDIT:
Just called them. Turns out the medication I use isn't an issue for them. Thanks OP; I'm booked in to become a donor again.
Also there’s at least 10-15% of people who have needle phobias. Then probably another 60% find the whole needle experience as something they’d prefer to avoid. They seem like high numbers but I’m fairly sure I’m right on this.
I actually don’t think they could be persuaded. But that leaves 20% of the population who could be persuaded. 20% should be enough. 5% probably excluded for medical reasons.
I don’t faint but I get that really bad thing with a name. Sweat, tunnel vision, almost pass out. From what I’ve noticed, nurses are never patient with me. They make me feel like a burden for doing it and try to get me to rush getting over it as quick as possible.
And then they bring the smallest cup of water imaginable from a mile away and god forbid you ask for more than 2
I dont have enough. I've tried twice and the best I managed was about 250ml before i turned into drunk hasselhoff. They said if i have three failed attempts in a row im banned forever.
Sucks being o-. Can't donate my cool Anderson plug blood and if I need a transfusion myself, I have to hope they have enough because it's uncommon and they need what they have for ambulances and trauma centres and stuff.
I was a regular donor until I came out as a trans male.
Immediately became ineligible due to being married to/in a sexual relationship with a man.
The same man I'd been with the entire time I was a blood donor.
Right?!
I'd never felt so validated and straight up confused as fuck at the same time in my entire life; the poor technicians face as we did mental gymnastics together was hilarious!
My veins are hard to find, and it’s difficult to get a good flow. Whenever I’ve had to have blood tests taken, sometimes I’ll have to go in multiple times, and they usually end up taking it from the veins on the backs of my hands.
It’s literally like trying to take blood from a stone.
I do, plasma and platelets. Normally I do plasma every 2 weeks; but I do get asked to do platelets for a patient in need in Melbourne. I’ll hit 50 later this year… I’ve been here for 3 years
I used give regularly blood and plasma until a couple of times they asked me that question, at the reception desk, loudly, in front of other people which made me realise that it’s straight discriminatory. I understand the context of the question which I think is crap anyways. I’m not gay, not bisexual nor had any gay experiences but can’t in good conscience give them blood if they gonna pull that sh*t on the brothers that are gay.
Note: I have seen that they’re celebrating the fact that TGA have approved those questions be removed but I guess the Qld Red Cross office haven’t got the memo yet.
Because I am a cannabis user. I just looked it up and apparently now they do not disqualify you from donating if you smoke cannabis. This was not always the case. Now that I know this I will donate next time the van pops up at work.
I would, but apparently if you have fibromyalgia you can only donate blood if you are not currently symptomatic… which. Doesn’t happen often. If ever.
Edit to add: I found the eligbility requirement again, you can donate "provided you are well, and in the last 12 months have not had any symptoms or required any medication". So basically if you have fibro you can donate if you're cured.
I was told my blood type (AB+) is too uncommon, and it would expire by the time someone might need it. Makes me wonder when they *do* collect the rarer types though.
Interestingly during covid a mother & baby both needed my type desperately and there was a news article calling out for donors, particularly of my ethnicity too. It was only a few weeks after my first donation in Aus (where I was told they won’t take my blood, only plasma) that I saw this article, I made contact but I didn’t get a reply. Hope they found a donor!!
They keep a list of donors for this very need and they will usually call you to donate.
That being said if youre in Sydney and theyre in Perth, they probably won't call you as they'll want the blood to be fresh as possible
For anyone that's considering it (and eligible), please give it a go! I've recently completed my 6th donation and will continue to donate as long as I can. I'm quite anxious and it can feel like a bit of a shock to the system the first time, but well worth it if you can persevere.
Had a fainting episode and huge drop of blood pressure hours after my last donation. Rang them and they told me they wouldn’t let me donate again. Now I’m on blood thinners so no is the answer again.
Im not sure I'd be able to as I have thalassemia minor, and have been in and out of iron deficiency all my life.
See I could get a test to see if I can donate blood because it's a possibility but I have a genuine fear of needles. I've fainted a few times while taking blood tests and hate the entire half minute it takes to get them done. I don't know if I could stand my blood being extracted for longer than a few minutes.
My blood pressure is on the low end of normal and both times I have donated blood I have had to lie down imemdiately afterwards to avoid fainting. My vision went black and I was shaking.
Technically I am allowed to go back and donate again but the nurse there said that she wouldn’t if she was me. Who I haven’t.
I know you were asking why healthy people won't. But just for the sake of curiosity the reason I don't is I've always been chronically low on iron and have to take supplements just to get my iron to the right level.
I’ve just been diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer and I am gutted that I cannot donate for 5 years. I’m making my 2 sons become donors since I can’t (they are keen).
I used to donate in university (they would always discuss taking me because I fell on the border of their weight level and had BP on the lower side, I had to tell them sometimes that I've been donating without issues). Then, I fainted and had seizures after an emergency blood donation and was told not to donate again by a doctor, that seizures were dangerous and it was not worth risking.
After more than a decade, I made an impulse decision to try again in Australia when my train was coming after an hour and I was near a donation center. The whole process was way too time consuming. I don't remember what they told me but it was too long and I couldn't donate in that time frame. Back in my undergraduate years, in my home country, it was way faster and easier. You were just in and out.
Since then, because I'm planning on pregnancy and need to maintain iron levels (my iron is already low), I haven't tried again.
I hate needles so I have to really psych myself to go as well. They struggle to find where to insert the needle and I get poked and prodded. I also wish they would take half a bottle for people like me who may not have enough to safely fill a bottle.
The restrictions due to TTIs in Australia as well as duty of care are huge.
Im not surprised it takes ages, my questionnaire every time i got there is huge. But its necessary.
No one wants a repeat of the 70/80s when blood banks were spreading Hep and HIV like mad
I use a steroid inhaler to control my asthma, and that makes me ineligible, but without the steroid inhaler, my asthma isn't effectively controlled, and I am ineligible!
I am O neg, so it is a crappy situation for all.
That's weird as I was sent away and told not to come back while using a steroid inhaler as small amounts end up in the blood and can be harmful for pregnant women, I was on flixotide at the time.
I try to do plasma every 2 weeks. Up to 30
I think. I get calls all the time but just say I have a busy schedule and then just jump on the app and find whatever suits me. I just like the free food and snacks tbh
Just never had the time/foresight to book it in honestly. I barely get around to scheduling my poor car for regular services.
Also 40+ mins is a lot of time to lose on a workday. I could manage it now that I wfh and there's a donation centre in walking distance, but if I was in an office I doubt I could make it work. I'm on salary but I bet a lot of folks literally can't afford to lose that time either. If there was any kind of monetary kickback like in the US, I bet we wouldn't have to buy so much blood from US donors (ironically).
I'm also just constantly on/off sick with some kind of cold or flu, I swear haha. The minute I'm like "hey I haven't been sick in a while, maybe I should donate" I get sick again!
Some companies have paid volunteer leave and woolies back in the day gave you a donation day every few weeks in the eba.. It was in like some weird SDA fine print lol
I wish companies would advertise that more! Personally I work for a startup and I think my boss would rather bleed *herself* than pay me donation/volunteer leave hahaha
It's inconvenient. It sucks I know, but that's the truth of it. I am time poor and if they came to my work I would 100% do it, as it stands me having to take time out of my day to go to them, pass. It costs me nothing and is priceless for someone else so I am 100% on board, If it's convenient.
I do, and I must be one of the few that enjoy the process 🤣
Started doing it about 4 years ago, didn't know my blood type until then.
What I would like to do, but can't, is donate plasma. When they tested me for it, unfortunately my veins are too small to cycle my blood.
If they won't take gay blood, they aren't getting mine.
As an RN, if I have a patient that needs some, hook me up but if gay blood isn't good enough, mine isn't either
I donated a few times, then low iron got me banned.
Then cancer decided to keep me off the list, need to be clear for 5 years but that’s unlikely after over 8 years and multiple recurrences.
I’ve had a number of transfusions though, so am always thankful to those of you who are able and do donate.
Donated around 15 times. The last 5 or so I needed to get a venous haem check to see if I could donate. After that I kept failing even after taking iron supps and getting my iron up, my haem just wouldn't change. I have thalassemia which makes it difficult.
I'd love to keep donating but it doesn't seem like I will be able to.
I used to donate regularly but then got pregnant. I won’t be eligible again until the little dude is 9 months old, so I’m counting down the days to September and I’ll be right back in the game
I was an ambassador for a while and still try my best to get others to donate. Majority of people say “I just don’t like needles”. I can understand if it is a genuine fear but honestly most people don’t like needles and it’s a pretty poor excuse
Just adding that if you can’t personally donate, it doesn’t stop you advocating for other people to ‘take your place’. I can’t give plasma, but made it possible for my friend to give plasma by offering childcare and a lift. I feel like a bit of creative thinking and understanding the importance is very doable, rather than stopping at ‘I rule myself out, so that’s the end of that topic forever’.
Another friend organized the Blood bank outreach at his workplace, even though he was ineligible. So technically far more liters of blood were in the system due to his actions (not his arm).
> **p**rone. **E**very **n**eedlestick **i**njury **s**erves
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I have AB+ blood, and the blood bank now declines my attempts to donate as it's not in high enough demand. I check in every 6 months or so, but it's been this way for years. I've been assessed twice to donate plasma, and both times have been denied due to my narrow, roly veins :( I encourage others to donate as much as possible!
Last donation I got my 50 donations pin! Started out doing whole blood, but my iron tends to be a bit low, so I started doing plasma. I don’t mind doing it, and I love free food, I just wish it didn’t take so long. My blood flows slowly, apparently - I get the “low flow” beep regularly
There is also a lot of misinformation about eligibility. There are a lot of aussies who think they can’t donate when they absolutely can. I wish I could, but iron deficiency means I don’t.
I used to. Then one time I got a false positive on one of the tests they did and they told me not to donate for a year. Then when I tried to book in after that to donate someone called me and asked me to go to my own doctor and get a blood test first before they would let me. It was like, I'm trying to do you guys a favour, put myself through something that isn't fun or enjoyable to help you out, and you're making me jump through these hoops? Why should I bother then.
Thats rough, that would scare the shit out of me.
That being said, I think they have to do that because if you did turn out pos for what ever it is, you would need a GP to manage what ever it is.
I've only been able to donate once successfully. Have attempted several more times but my hemoglobin has been too low. Last time I was just in the range to do a plasma donation but you needed to have done a whole blood donation in the last 12 months to donate plasma, which I hadn't. Very annoying as I am healthy and well otherwise, low hemoglobin just seems to be my 'normal'.
Last time I donated, I had a bit of a strange turn trying to get home afterwards. I felt totally fine for the 15-20 minutes I stayed at the centre, fine again going to a couple of shops and then passed out at the bus stop on the way home (about an hour after I left the centre). A pair of older ladies bought me a bottle of juice and kept an eye on me until my BIL was able to pick me up, by which point I felt fine again. I would like to donate again but my turn was a bit scary for me and I'm too nervous. I tend towards both low blood sugar and low iron (was normal at my last test but borderline), so I think one or the other may have contributed. I feel guilty every time I see an ad for blood donation, because it's such a good thing to do and I know not enough people do it.
Tbh with a post donation experience like that, I wouldn't feel guilty
I know, it's pretty silly to feel guilty, really. I don't think anyone would tell me I should be donating.
Someone else mentioned in this feed they have ‘vasovagal syncope’. This may also apply to you. Similarly to you I’ve experienced delayed loss of consciousness after blood tests, Pap smears, and yes, the one and only time I tried (and failed) to give blood; all vasovagal syncope. This is something I have to tell clinicians every time I go for any jabby-jabby pokey-pokey healthcare procedure. Mainly so there’s no panic when they realise I’m not responding to questions because I’m no longer awake 😂
You can always stay longer if you need to, also I donated and fainted (for like maybe one second) but because I had driven to my appointment they insisted on giving me a cab charge card to get me home for free - they were also happy to have my car stay in the carpark until I could get a lift to pick it up the next afternoon. Not trying to push you if you truly are uncomfortable, but if you do want to donate I'm sure you could tell them about your experience last time and they would be more than happy to help out - keep an extra eye on you and also give you a cab charge to get you home safe.
I would, but i am too small and don't meet the minimum weight requirements. I am also very prone to iron deficiency, which they also don't like...
Oh my god same! I remind all my friends to go when I see a van. It used be 45kg minimum, which may have been achieveable for me if I hit the gym but they raised it to 50 so I got no chance. It's a real bummer.
Username check out I suppose 😅
Thats fair.. My wife has unstable iron so she's in the same boat lol
I'm iron deficient so donating plasma has been a good alternative :)
This is me too. I've signed up as an organ donor though. They can have as much of everything as they want when I give up the ghost.
Even before I became a vegetarian and developed iron and B12 deficiency (at least that I'm aware of), I donated blood once, went home, and collapsed while talking to my mom in the kitchen. I don't do okay losing that amount of blood, apparently.
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I suffered from that, needles I could do with much anxiety but refused to do blood tests from when I was 16-30 I would faint at the mere thought of blood tests. Then I got cancer and my phobia completely dissipated to the point where I can give myself needles. Blood test are no issue as well, it’s amazing how the body and mind can adapt when it has to.
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That and weight loss… “I lost 10kgs in two months ask me how”
Yeah, same for me. I've fainted after giving blood, so it's not for me.
I fainted the first time and got woozy the second time. By the third I was fine. It’s just conditioning. The way I see it, it’s a hell of a lot less suffering than the people getting my blood are going to experience if I don’t donate.
The first COVID jab, I went to a drive thru, thinking I would overcome my fear of needles and all would be fine. I think about 10 mins after the jab, I felt like I was about to faint. So I waved down the nurse, and of course, given it was early days, adverse reactions were a big concern, and so 2 doctors and 3 nurses swooped over. I knew it was vasovagal syncope, and they probably figured likewise, but I'm guessing they had to play it safe. The drive thru was quite open, so for an observer in the queue, they must have been worried it was an adverse reaction, watching my car get swarmed with medicos and a crash cart 😅 The second jab, I decided to do it at my GP, and I asked to lie down, and it was fine. The third jab, I figured, I'd overcome my fears. I told the doctor about how I wanted to overcome my fears and we agreed I would sit. Once again, it seemed fine, but about 10 mins later, I felt light headed again and had to lie down. More recently, I had to get a number of blood tests done, and each time, I asked the phlebotomist if I could lie down, and everytime, picking up on my needle anxiety, they've been super friendly, and I've walked out without incident. I was tempted at my most recent test to ask to do it sitting to once again, try and overcome my needle fears, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Unfortunately (or fortunately), my last blood test came back okay and that was the end of that chapter. I've always wanted to donate blood and knowing that lying down is a strategy makes me think I should be able to donate blood if I lie down, but the thought of having the needle stuck in me for so long (as opposed to a quick jab or a quick draw), and knowing the volume that's going out makes me anxious. Even thinking about it makes my hands feel slightly numb.
I developed anxiety around having bloods/venipuncture done. Caused me to get lightheaded and palpitations. It's quite embarrassing cause I'm a nurse, and I have no idea where it came from.
Nup, I don’t donate blood. Tried it once and never again, too many questions… like “Whose blood is this?”, “Where did you get it from?” And “Why’s it in a bucket?”
🤣🤣🤣🤣
You should have taken it in the original packaging, much fresher.
I have very difficult veins to get at. I went to donate when I turned 18 and they spent 20 minutes stabbing me and wriggling the needle around in both arms before giving up. It has made me nervous about going for another attempt.
I have veins like this, blood tests are a nightmare. I try all the tricks, but still usually have to return 2-3 times before someone can get any blood out of me. I don't blame you for being nervous; if I could donate I'm honestly not sure I'd try. I hate the feeling of the needle being moved trying to find a vein so freaking much.
Yep this is me too. In hospital they needed an anesthesiologist to help just to find my veins before an operation.
Fun fact; the term anesthesiologist is an American word for the specialty. In Aussieland and quite a few other places the term anaesthetist is used. Not trying to be a grammar nazi either; had a friend go into the specialty and was very firmly and fairly corrected to the point that I will never EVER forget 😆.
Same. The nurses told me not to come back.
I have this issue, even had the issue of them getting the needle in and getting blood, then the vein was like "nope, I've had enough, no more blood for you!" Because I have regular bloody tests I got to ask one day why..... apparently having about 1L of water before helps.... and my experience is yes, it works. Something to think about even for having blood tests.
So the [Mad Cow](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/vital-reads/uk-blood-donation-mad-cow-rule-has-changed-for-good) rules for Poms were lifted last year, here's the eligibility link in case anyone needs to know [https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility)
I couldn’t for years because I grew up in the Uk. I signed up tho last year and the closest place to me is a 35klm round trip and I live 12klms from the cbd. So I’m centrally located. I had a reason to go to this suburb tho but it abruptly and without warning ended. I know it’s lazy but if it was closer I’d definitely go regularly. I’m O negative too.
I think if they had buses go around to community centres I’d definitely sign up for that.
I mean, they certainly do have exactly that. I donated at a mobile donor bus in Mawson Lakes once.
They take pommie blood now?
I’m on my third donation with my pommie blood!
They do.
Yea tbh, that's a pain.. Have they set up any mobile blood drives nesr you? Lifeblood has a pop up blood centre in my local community library. I have to travel about that round trip (on freeways mind you) for my donations, but I'm B+ and Lifeblood will always try to get me to convert to plasma I'd i try to donate whole blood lol
I fainted both times and they said don't come back. I'm not squeamish either. I'm always comfortable watching the needle go in for that or for vaccines. Not sure what triggers it.
Probably vasovagal syncope, an involuntary response. I’m fine with needles too but have fainted a couple of times.
I have this, I started dry retching getting a blood test a few years back they said my veins kept collapsing. I think I just about fainted because the chair I was in was suddenly pushed into a reclining position. The last time I had a blood test the pathologist must have seen my face go pale and said it might be better if I lie down while taking the samples to which I agreed instantly. The mere thought of it makes my knees wobbly.
I started donating blood at 16 because I was deathly afraid of needles. I've donated more blood than I actually have at any given moment. I don't donate whole blood anymore because a few years back, Red Cross stopped accepting whole blood from AB+ donors, which is what I am. They still accept plasma and platelets, however I have somewhat high red blood cells, so I need to get rid of some every now and then, and doing this would make it much worse for me, so now I just don't donate. I know there's a whole thing with the high ferretin donation whatever, I'm trying to work it out with my doctor, but for now, they don't want my blood and I'm not able to give it to them anyway
Oooft thats pain in the ass.. Im B+ so similar boat with donations
Oh I'm b+ too, what's the constraints on that blood group?
There's too fecking many off us compared to people who actually require our blood. Apparently we are a disproportionately high donation group
Yeah haha. For AB+ we're actually quite a rare blood type (2nd rarest I think), but we are universal receivers. So we can have any blood, whereas other people can't accept our blood unless they're also AB+. And there's not many of us so AB+ blood would go to waste. They usually get enough from people donating for the first time without knowing their blood type. Sometimes the banks run low and ask me for it, but super rarely. They'd be welcome to my platelets and plasma though, I just don't want them to mess around putting the red blood cells back in when they're the one blood component I was needing to actually get rid of, y'know? Hahaha
its more a case of they want my blood (O-) for the ER where they dont always have time to test the patients blood type, the more broadly acepttad blood types mean less blood needs to be stored so less wastage, so the less peopel blood can be given to the more likely they are to ask you for donations like plasma where blood type dosnt matter, they wont be using your blood in the ER, they will use it to make life saving medications.
I'm a haematology trainee (blood dr), so really should be a more regular donor. Oddly as a doctor, my work is the greatest limitation on donating! We have the vans visit the hospitals I've worked at over the last few years, but finding an opportunity to go down and donate has always been challenging, and you often need to book, and its hard to predict when you're going to have a reliable chance to keep a booking. I think all hospitals with blood banks should have a dedicated on site place for staff to donate. Some hospitals I've worked at (?all) have allowed you to have paid time off rather than having to go in your lunch break, so that's nice. Thanks to everyone who does donate. If you're a young male in particular (18-35), please consider also joining the bone marrow/stem cell donation registry. We use these (mostly stem cells) to treat diseases like acute leukaemias, particularly in children. You can ask at the red cross when you're donating and they'll send samples off, or you can visit [Strength to give](https://strengthtogive.org.au/) to request a cheek swab be sent to you. If you've any questions about marrow/stem cell donation, or blood donation, feel free to reply to this or PM me.
Oh man, the thought of a bone marrow donation makes me feel not good things despite knowing I'd be under general.
It's rarely bone marrow you donate though. It's almost always stem cells which are taken from your peripheral blood, not the marrow. The process (to simplify it) is you go take some medications that expand your blood cell production, and then you go onto a machine sort of like a dialysis machine where your blood comes out, filters out the larger stem cells, and then returns the rest to you along with some fluids. They closely monitor your fluid balance and electrolytes throughout and may top up other fluids/salts/etc as they go depending on what you need. Actual bone marrow donation is more intensive. I won't scare you off with that :P But even it's not as bad as you might think, and if they're calling you up for that, it's for a good reason and probably a little kid.
Yeah, I read the 90% blood stem cells and 10% bone marrow thing on the website. I guess it can't hurt to sign up.
I do...have done like 30 times. I will say this, though - they are very annoying in terms of how much they nag you about booking appointments and stuff.
Hahahaha i did a plasma donation a week ago and ive already got an email asking to me to schedule another
I never got on to the plasma donations because it's too hard for the nurses to find my veins. It's always a huge pain in the arse every time.
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Totally agree. The calls are annoying. I’ve only recently returned to donating, and I try to go every month (plasma), but if I don’t it’s usually because I’m away, too busy with work, or I’m holiday. Also my work is irregular, so scheduling in advance doesn’t work for me - I usually just book in on the day if I can.
They are. I told them so, and they stopped calling. I said i would come when i can schedule, and calling is just annoying.
Yes I live a long way from a donation point and am unemployed so it was costing me money in petrol and parking fees to donate, I was booking donation times for when I was passing through town but it was irregular intervals just whenever I could fit it in but they keet hounding me to schedule in regular times and didn't seem to care/understand that I could not just do that
Flight attendant and regularly travel to countries that are a no go for blood donations. I did do it regularly during Covid when I was grounded though.
Ooft, if you dont mind me asking.. Which countries are in the no no zone :s
The screening questions ask if you've been outside of Australia since your last donation, or specifically Papua New Guinea in the last 3 years. ETA: it seems that they'll only take your plasma if you've been to PNG in the last 3 years, that's why that question exists.
Just FYI for anyone reading this thread, having been outside Australia isn't automatically a disqualifier. It depends where you've been. Some places it just means you have to wait a little longer, or can only donate plasma for X weeks not whole blood. For instance, US and Canada are just a 4 week deferral from whole blood donation, but you can still do plasma. New Zealand has no deferral.
Thanks for adding that detail. ~~PNG is an automatic disqualifier, but other countries are not necessarily~~. ETA: apparently I don't know what I'm talking about.
Ah yep recurring malaria! My sister can't donate because of that. We haven't lived there in many years, but 6-7 years ago she was told that because she had malaria while we were there, she can't donate. Not sure if that's still the case or if she'd be allowed nowadays though. I think I'd be okay because I never got malaria, but I guess I'd still have to disclose and get them to test for it.
Heaps unfortunately. The ones that affect me personally are India, Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia and Phillipines.
I donated a few times, then low iron got me banned. Then cancer decided to keep me off the list, need to be clear for 5 years but that’s unlikely after over 8 years and multiple recurrences. I’ve had a number of transfusions though, so am always thankful to those of you who are able and do donate.
Making my first donation next month!
Hell yeah!! Thank you!
Good on you. I have given well over 100 times, and find it satisfying in a funny way. For one thing I find the staff very pleasant, and it's something you can do for others (provided you can - no shame for those who can't for whatever reason) at no cost beyond an hour of your time now and then.
I went to donate blood in Melbourne in the Collins Street clinic about 6 years ago. I had never donated blood before but my colleagues were all doing it so I said I’m going to become a blood donor. (I hate needles by the way) Made the appointment and went after work one day. Got there and went through the motions and admin side of it. Jumped on the bed and the nurse put the needle in, I looked away and it made me come out in a cold sweat. She gave me the squeeze ball and taped the tube connected to the needle to my arm. Every squeeze of the ball I felt my warm blood extracting from me and I didn’t like it. She set me up to leave me and as she said “don’t worry, the machine won’t take all the blood from you. It will stop when it’s had enough” I felt the warm blood again oozing up the tube. Last thing I remember is her asking me “are you ok” then waking up and not knowing where I was. Turns out I passed out hard! And took me longer than normal to come around. They kept me there for an hour. Shovelled salted chips and orange juice into me and wouldn’t let me get public transport. They gave me a cab voucher and made sure I got in one. About a month later I get a letter from the CEO of the Red Cross (I think it was) thanking me for being brave enough to come and donate blood for my first time. It also said they got 164ml of blood from me that will be utilised but unfortunately because I fainted so bad I’m now on the list of people who cannot donate blood ever again. So my reason is the CEO said I can’t because I’m a big softy despite me being 6’4” 120kg muscular guy.
When the local unit can barely donate a unit.. I joke, but good effort for trying atleast.. I know a few units who struggle, my best mates bf is a fifo diesal mechanic about your dimensions and he pass out at the sight of a needle.
You would probably be surprised how easy it is to be ineligible. I know I am not eligible
eligibility changes all the time though. A lot of people count themselves out based on old rules.
I can't. I was going to when my nephew had leukemia over 10 years ago, and read through all of the terms and conditions before doing so... I have [Chronic Fatigue Syndrome](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/faq/eligibility/medical-conditions-and-procedures/chronic-fatigue-syndrome), so I'm not eligible to donate blood. It's frustrating, but I get it... We still don't know what causes CFS, and it would suck if it is a blood born disease, and my donating blood caused someone else to get it. Editing to add that I've had low iron on and off for years.
I have fibromyalgia, so I'm not allowed to donate blood for that either. To my understanding it's not that it could be bloodborne, but that you have extra risks of having a flair up because you gave blood. Or at least, that's what my rheum said. I'm also a "man who has sex with men" and despite having a single long-time partner that also disqualifies me anyway. We'd have to remain celibate for what... 3 months? In order to be able to give blood.
The website says: I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Can I donate? Yes, provided you are well, and in the last 12 months have not had any symptoms or required any medication. So... Essentially, we can't donate blood, if we've actively got fibro (I've got it too). What your rheumie said makes sense. And yes, it's currently three months. They reduced it from a year in 2021. As much as I understand why they have all of the restrictions in place, three months does seem a bit excessive for people in monogamous relationships like you.
This is interesting, thanks for sharing. I have Me/CFS and some other chronic conditions. I stopped giving blood years ago because I was 1)scared how my body would react because I have no idea what can set off a flare up and 2) why would anyone want my blood when I have no idea what is actually going on in my body. I didn't realise CFS makes you ineligible, I feel less guilty now. I have O type blood so I really feel the pressure and guilt to donate. I hate that I had to stop.
Because it’s the 80’s and 90’s and I’m apparently riddled with HIV/AIDS
["In a world first, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is urgently prioritising a submission from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood that all questions relating to sexual encounters be removed from the plasma donor questionnaire."](https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/world-first-move-to-lift-gay-bisexual-ban-on-blood-plasma-donation-20230317-p5ct52.html) 🤞
they should change this
[https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/media-centre/media-releases/update-on-sexual-activity-blood-donation-rules-may-23](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/media-centre/media-releases/update-on-sexual-activity-blood-donation-rules-may-23) they are
Only took until 2023. My mate who is in the navy and has to have regular STI checks wasn’t able to donate due to being gay. It makes no sense!
"Better safe than sorry" approaches just feel insulting somehow
I used to go regularly when I was young, but my veins are terrible. The last time I tried to donate, six different staff tried and no one could get a vein. They ended up telling me to leave, quite rudely too. I wasn’t trying to waste their time, but I’m no longer a suitable candidate apparently.
you sat through all that being stabed and then they where rude to you?!?!? thats terible
Yep. I’ve since had quite a few blood tests at pathology labs, and I always tell the blood techs to go straight for my hands, don’t bother with the elbows. They almost always ignore me, and then get aggro when I’m correct and I end up with useless holes in both elbows. I’m a shit blood stick.
Yes I had a rude nurse last time who kept showing her frustratation and saying I hadn't drunk enough water (I had). I haven't rebooked since, especially since my work is ad hoc and I can't plan ahead to make appointments. On this occasion, this was the soonest available at a location that was really inconvenient for me, so the fact she was rude on top of that left a bad taste in my mouth.
Parking is shit mainly.
Mate I feel that at my local.. 6 carparks, but they have like 15 machines to try to fill....
Ours just has a handful of parking spots out the front (at whatever city parking is now per hour). They've always been full, as are all the other street parks close. I mean, I could take the bus. But I'd rather get home in 7 minutes, rather than 30+ (including the walk to/from the stop) if I felt wobbly.
I’d love to but my anxiety takes over, I was a quivering mess last time I tried
Yeah same here, I would legitimately soil myself in the chair before they even started the process. Big respect to people that can do this
I used to, got diagnosed with late stage cancer and now it’s off the cards, sadly.
Thats rough mate, hope things are looking good long term for you
God no, but thanks all the same. I’m too stubborn to croak yet and I’d like to get a bit past 34!
I have no legitimate excuse. I used to donate, but they changed the rules on people who were from the UK within the Mad Cow Disease (CJD) era, so I was prohibited. This has since been reversed, as I understand it. So, apathy really. Flip side though; I worked at the blood bank as a collector, so I did my part there bleeding everyone else. So there's that.
Think I'm forever blacklisted.. 7 years ago or so I admitted I had taken a psychedelic and was instantly told I can't donate ever again. At the time it was dmt. I'm 0- too.
[https://www.lifeblood.com.au/faq/eligibility/lifestyle-and-identity/drug-use](https://www.lifeblood.com.au/faq/eligibility/lifestyle-and-identity/drug-use) that's changed, it's only injectible drugs that get you deferred now, and that's droped to 5 years.
I think the deferral period has been reduced...
I was also blacklisted. The rules changed and I'm allowed to donate again. Just made my 50th plasma donation.
That's bloody ridiculous.
From what I can tell, a lot of Australians DO donate blood a lot. The Red Cross and Hospitals just always needs more of it, it's one of those things that will always be in demand: people aren't going to stop losing blood all of a sudden. Plus, they kind of market a little \*too\* aggressively.
Wanted to explain the reasons why they push so hard. 1. Blood doesn't last forever. It degrades over time and is viable for a short time (I think a bit over a month?), before it needs to be thrown away. No one knows how much blood we'll need or what types, so lots is collected and goes to waste. 2. The Red Cross Blood Service makes money off donations. They are reimbursed by the government an amount for each donation under an agreement. They have a monopoly on this service - no one else can collect blood or plasma in Australia. The more donations the more money. The sad thing? [International imports of plasma have been shown to be cheaper to the taxpayer than domestic supply](https://theconversation.com/how-australia-can-fix-the-market-for-plasma-and-save-millions-101609). As they are a charity, and there are strict guidelines on the agreement that they only use the money raised from donations to support the donations side of the business, I don't think it's necessarily nefarious. Just means they likely have a set of overhead costs for lifeblood (such as property rent, marketing, etc.) that they can't cover without a certain number of donations. EDIT: updated link per bot recommendation.
I tried. 4 times. After the last one they sent me home and said don't bother, your veins are too shit. And yes I drank a lot of water the day before and the 1L before the appointment 😖
I’m a long term donor, whole blood for me as I. O- and I also don’t carry something (I never remember what it is) something that 80% of the population has. I’m referred to as a Golden Donor and my blood mostly goes to children. I’ve not long ago made my 59th donation. I also have sucky veins which makes life difficult for the blood bank at times
Cytomegalovirus is what you dont have. And yes you are a golden donor, CMV neg and 0-.. Im surprised they havent frozen you and kept you hidden away until a baby needs blood lol
322 donations done. Still going but I have had slow down a bit as I get older. Mostly doing platelets.
I have MS and they don’t want my blood
Iron deficiency plus bad with needles. My veins are tiny and roll to the point experienced blood techs haven't been able to get small samples. And I hate them digging around in there. The thought of them finally finding the vein after bruising my arms then my hands and then leaving the needle in there for the time they need... Nah. Hubby gives enough blood for both of us.
I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome in my teens so twenty years later I’m not allowed to donate.
I was banned after being diagnosed with RA. Also, the donation vans won’t travel more than two hours or so from a fixed donation centre so that rules out most regional and all rural and remote areas.
I’ll be honest. I only donate frequently for my own benefit. I have 1 copy of a gene that causes haemochromatosis which is a condition where your body’s iron sensing proteins are messed up and you absorb too much from your diet. Normally you need 2 copies to have the condition and be at risk for iron overload but I managed to get somewhat high levels after 18 years with just one. My doctor told me to donate regularly and since then my levels have been good, I also recover very quickly from donation. So yeah, I donate for selfish reasons.
I donate for selfish reasons too: I really like free sausage rolls and chocolate milk.
I’m obsessed with nippy’s iced honeycomb from drinking them after donating blood
I used to. Got up to about 25 whole blood donations. I had to stop because I was diagnosed with cancer and they don't want it anymore (fair enough). They will let me again if I'm cancer free for 5 years but my awful chemo veins just wouldn't cope now.
I did, for a bit; I think I've donated thrice from memory. But I got very into tattoos and piercings for a few years, so wasn't able to for a while. I'm now on medication, so I potentially could, but would have to check with them. Going off my meds for even a day or two IS an option, but would effect me heavily. I do like to talk about it to people who don't have the same roadblocks as me. I've got a few friends who were on the fence, and me talking about how chill it is and how it didn't hurt (plus free cookies) apparently demystified the whole process for them. EDIT: Just called them. Turns out the medication I use isn't an issue for them. Thanks OP; I'm booked in to become a donor again.
Also there’s at least 10-15% of people who have needle phobias. Then probably another 60% find the whole needle experience as something they’d prefer to avoid. They seem like high numbers but I’m fairly sure I’m right on this.
Yeah this sounds right. Maybe with more advertising the 60% can be influenced Edit: *some* of the 60% is what I meant 😅
I actually don’t think they could be persuaded. But that leaves 20% of the population who could be persuaded. 20% should be enough. 5% probably excluded for medical reasons.
I have a phobia of needles and blood, so tend to faint. They don’t like fainters as higher risk.
I don’t faint but I get that really bad thing with a name. Sweat, tunnel vision, almost pass out. From what I’ve noticed, nurses are never patient with me. They make me feel like a burden for doing it and try to get me to rush getting over it as quick as possible. And then they bring the smallest cup of water imaginable from a mile away and god forbid you ask for more than 2
I dont have enough. I've tried twice and the best I managed was about 250ml before i turned into drunk hasselhoff. They said if i have three failed attempts in a row im banned forever.
Oooft thats a concern!!
Sucks being o-. Can't donate my cool Anderson plug blood and if I need a transfusion myself, I have to hope they have enough because it's uncommon and they need what they have for ambulances and trauma centres and stuff.
I was a regular donor until I came out as a trans male. Immediately became ineligible due to being married to/in a sexual relationship with a man. The same man I'd been with the entire time I was a blood donor.
Oh that’s an interesting technicality! A ridiculous one but still.
Right?! I'd never felt so validated and straight up confused as fuck at the same time in my entire life; the poor technicians face as we did mental gymnastics together was hilarious!
My veins are hard to find, and it’s difficult to get a good flow. Whenever I’ve had to have blood tests taken, sometimes I’ll have to go in multiple times, and they usually end up taking it from the veins on the backs of my hands. It’s literally like trying to take blood from a stone.
I used to be a regular donor, but i haven't been eligible since i meet my partner 17 years ago. He's bi, and that's still an exclusion, sadly
I do, plasma and platelets. Normally I do plasma every 2 weeks; but I do get asked to do platelets for a patient in need in Melbourne. I’ll hit 50 later this year… I’ve been here for 3 years
I have in the past, but now I'm living rural with no licence, makes it near impossible.
I would love to donate blood more often but as a woman of reproductive age, I have had a 20 year struggle with iron deficiency.
I used give regularly blood and plasma until a couple of times they asked me that question, at the reception desk, loudly, in front of other people which made me realise that it’s straight discriminatory. I understand the context of the question which I think is crap anyways. I’m not gay, not bisexual nor had any gay experiences but can’t in good conscience give them blood if they gonna pull that sh*t on the brothers that are gay. Note: I have seen that they’re celebrating the fact that TGA have approved those questions be removed but I guess the Qld Red Cross office haven’t got the memo yet.
Because I am a cannabis user. I just looked it up and apparently now they do not disqualify you from donating if you smoke cannabis. This was not always the case. Now that I know this I will donate next time the van pops up at work.
I'm gay, so haven't in the past, but will now that the rules are changing.
Been pregnant and breastfeeding for 5 years.
I would, but apparently if you have fibromyalgia you can only donate blood if you are not currently symptomatic… which. Doesn’t happen often. If ever. Edit to add: I found the eligbility requirement again, you can donate "provided you are well, and in the last 12 months have not had any symptoms or required any medication". So basically if you have fibro you can donate if you're cured.
I was told my blood type (AB+) is too uncommon, and it would expire by the time someone might need it. Makes me wonder when they *do* collect the rarer types though. Interestingly during covid a mother & baby both needed my type desperately and there was a news article calling out for donors, particularly of my ethnicity too. It was only a few weeks after my first donation in Aus (where I was told they won’t take my blood, only plasma) that I saw this article, I made contact but I didn’t get a reply. Hope they found a donor!!
They keep a list of donors for this very need and they will usually call you to donate. That being said if youre in Sydney and theyre in Perth, they probably won't call you as they'll want the blood to be fresh as possible
Good to know! I’m in Melbourne. Maybe I’ll try again soon and ask them to check if I’m definitely on a list.
In the mean time you can donate plasma which is what i do. It's universal as it can be turned in to different universal medicines
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Steal her pins lol, ask her where all her pins went haha
For anyone that's considering it (and eligible), please give it a go! I've recently completed my 6th donation and will continue to donate as long as I can. I'm quite anxious and it can feel like a bit of a shock to the system the first time, but well worth it if you can persevere.
I'm a non celibate bisexual trans woman, have always been barred.
Pan cis woman who sometimes fucks penis beings that sometimes fuck other penis beings!
Pansexual tranman here, same boat
Had a fainting episode and huge drop of blood pressure hours after my last donation. Rang them and they told me they wouldn’t let me donate again. Now I’m on blood thinners so no is the answer again.
Im not sure I'd be able to as I have thalassemia minor, and have been in and out of iron deficiency all my life. See I could get a test to see if I can donate blood because it's a possibility but I have a genuine fear of needles. I've fainted a few times while taking blood tests and hate the entire half minute it takes to get them done. I don't know if I could stand my blood being extracted for longer than a few minutes.
I'm not allowed to as I suffer from heart disease.
Low iron is my main reason. I only recently became eligible to donate.
My blood pressure is on the low end of normal and both times I have donated blood I have had to lie down imemdiately afterwards to avoid fainting. My vision went black and I was shaking. Technically I am allowed to go back and donate again but the nurse there said that she wouldn’t if she was me. Who I haven’t.
I know you were asking why healthy people won't. But just for the sake of curiosity the reason I don't is I've always been chronically low on iron and have to take supplements just to get my iron to the right level.
I’ve just been diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer and I am gutted that I cannot donate for 5 years. I’m making my 2 sons become donors since I can’t (they are keen).
I used to donate in university (they would always discuss taking me because I fell on the border of their weight level and had BP on the lower side, I had to tell them sometimes that I've been donating without issues). Then, I fainted and had seizures after an emergency blood donation and was told not to donate again by a doctor, that seizures were dangerous and it was not worth risking. After more than a decade, I made an impulse decision to try again in Australia when my train was coming after an hour and I was near a donation center. The whole process was way too time consuming. I don't remember what they told me but it was too long and I couldn't donate in that time frame. Back in my undergraduate years, in my home country, it was way faster and easier. You were just in and out. Since then, because I'm planning on pregnancy and need to maintain iron levels (my iron is already low), I haven't tried again. I hate needles so I have to really psych myself to go as well. They struggle to find where to insert the needle and I get poked and prodded. I also wish they would take half a bottle for people like me who may not have enough to safely fill a bottle.
The restrictions due to TTIs in Australia as well as duty of care are huge. Im not surprised it takes ages, my questionnaire every time i got there is huge. But its necessary. No one wants a repeat of the 70/80s when blood banks were spreading Hep and HIV like mad
I use a steroid inhaler to control my asthma, and that makes me ineligible, but without the steroid inhaler, my asthma isn't effectively controlled, and I am ineligible! I am O neg, so it is a crappy situation for all.
Inhaled steroids don’t make you ineligible. I’ve been taking Symbicort for years and donated multiple times.
That's weird as I was sent away and told not to come back while using a steroid inhaler as small amounts end up in the blood and can be harmful for pregnant women, I was on flixotide at the time.
I try to do plasma every 2 weeks. Up to 30 I think. I get calls all the time but just say I have a busy schedule and then just jump on the app and find whatever suits me. I just like the free food and snacks tbh
Just never had the time/foresight to book it in honestly. I barely get around to scheduling my poor car for regular services. Also 40+ mins is a lot of time to lose on a workday. I could manage it now that I wfh and there's a donation centre in walking distance, but if I was in an office I doubt I could make it work. I'm on salary but I bet a lot of folks literally can't afford to lose that time either. If there was any kind of monetary kickback like in the US, I bet we wouldn't have to buy so much blood from US donors (ironically). I'm also just constantly on/off sick with some kind of cold or flu, I swear haha. The minute I'm like "hey I haven't been sick in a while, maybe I should donate" I get sick again!
Some companies have paid volunteer leave and woolies back in the day gave you a donation day every few weeks in the eba.. It was in like some weird SDA fine print lol
I wish companies would advertise that more! Personally I work for a startup and I think my boss would rather bleed *herself* than pay me donation/volunteer leave hahaha
I used to be a regular donor but now can't be for medical reasons. I found that most people are too lazy - it's time out of their day. Bums me out.
It's inconvenient. It sucks I know, but that's the truth of it. I am time poor and if they came to my work I would 100% do it, as it stands me having to take time out of my day to go to them, pass. It costs me nothing and is priceless for someone else so I am 100% on board, If it's convenient.
I do, and I must be one of the few that enjoy the process 🤣 Started doing it about 4 years ago, didn't know my blood type until then. What I would like to do, but can't, is donate plasma. When they tested me for it, unfortunately my veins are too small to cycle my blood.
I used to, but unfortunately got blood cancer and can't now. I am about to start monthly plasma therapy, so thank you to everyone that does donate! ❤️
If they won't take gay blood, they aren't getting mine. As an RN, if I have a patient that needs some, hook me up but if gay blood isn't good enough, mine isn't either
Atrial Fibrillation. I got suspended from donating
I really really struggle with needles 😭 Would love to, but honestly with my carry on whenever i have to get blood tests, they don't want my blood
I donated a few times, then low iron got me banned. Then cancer decided to keep me off the list, need to be clear for 5 years but that’s unlikely after over 8 years and multiple recurrences. I’ve had a number of transfusions though, so am always thankful to those of you who are able and do donate.
I tried and got denied for my shitty veins :(
Donated around 15 times. The last 5 or so I needed to get a venous haem check to see if I could donate. After that I kept failing even after taking iron supps and getting my iron up, my haem just wouldn't change. I have thalassemia which makes it difficult. I'd love to keep donating but it doesn't seem like I will be able to.
My iron is severely low and I can’t get it up. I also have an autoimmune disorder so I doubt they want my stinky blood lol
I used to donate regularly but then got pregnant. I won’t be eligible again until the little dude is 9 months old, so I’m counting down the days to September and I’ll be right back in the game
I would, but can't pump fast enough for a full amount within the allowed time frame.
It honestly just never crosses my mind
To be honest I just haven’t bothered really, I have no excuse.
I highly recommend you give it a go. It’s a really nice feeling knowing you’ve done something to help other Aussies in need and the snacks are 👌
How good are the sausage rolls and milkshakes you get when it's finished 👌.
Hit 100 donations earlier this year and about to get an infusion to become an anti-d donor. Get on board everyone!
Because my plasma is more useful. B-, 12 year regular donor.
Booked! A good reminder for those that are able to donate
I was an ambassador for a while and still try my best to get others to donate. Majority of people say “I just don’t like needles”. I can understand if it is a genuine fear but honestly most people don’t like needles and it’s a pretty poor excuse
Just adding that if you can’t personally donate, it doesn’t stop you advocating for other people to ‘take your place’. I can’t give plasma, but made it possible for my friend to give plasma by offering childcare and a lift. I feel like a bit of creative thinking and understanding the importance is very doable, rather than stopping at ‘I rule myself out, so that’s the end of that topic forever’. Another friend organized the Blood bank outreach at his workplace, even though he was ineligible. So technically far more liters of blood were in the system due to his actions (not his arm).
I’m a doctor and I’m accident prone. Every needlestick injury serves you a 12 month exclusion. My exclusion periods just keep overlapping.
> **p**rone. **E**very **n**eedlestick **i**njury **s**erves Hidden penis detected! I've scanned through 2207092 comments (approximately 11524812 average penis lengths worth of text) in order to find this secret penis message. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
They don't like homosexual or bisexual blood. This despite the fact that I have been in a monogamous relationship for 15 years.
I tried, didn’t have enough iron in my blood
Because I have perilously low ferritin levels
I have AB+ blood, and the blood bank now declines my attempts to donate as it's not in high enough demand. I check in every 6 months or so, but it's been this way for years. I've been assessed twice to donate plasma, and both times have been denied due to my narrow, roly veins :( I encourage others to donate as much as possible!
Last donation I got my 50 donations pin! Started out doing whole blood, but my iron tends to be a bit low, so I started doing plasma. I don’t mind doing it, and I love free food, I just wish it didn’t take so long. My blood flows slowly, apparently - I get the “low flow” beep regularly
There is also a lot of misinformation about eligibility. There are a lot of aussies who think they can’t donate when they absolutely can. I wish I could, but iron deficiency means I don’t.
Too lazy to find a and regularly attend a donation center. I have nothing against it and won't refuse to do it. I just cbf going.
You arrange a bus to come pick you up if you can convince a few others to join you.
I used to. Then one time I got a false positive on one of the tests they did and they told me not to donate for a year. Then when I tried to book in after that to donate someone called me and asked me to go to my own doctor and get a blood test first before they would let me. It was like, I'm trying to do you guys a favour, put myself through something that isn't fun or enjoyable to help you out, and you're making me jump through these hoops? Why should I bother then.
Thats rough, that would scare the shit out of me. That being said, I think they have to do that because if you did turn out pos for what ever it is, you would need a GP to manage what ever it is.
I've only been able to donate once successfully. Have attempted several more times but my hemoglobin has been too low. Last time I was just in the range to do a plasma donation but you needed to have done a whole blood donation in the last 12 months to donate plasma, which I hadn't. Very annoying as I am healthy and well otherwise, low hemoglobin just seems to be my 'normal'.
I could for the first time (previous mad cow risk) this year. So I’ve done it once.