
Healthy adults are encouraged to donate blood. Blood donations are also used in emergencies and to treat cancer. Many people need regular blood transfusions to help treat their medical conditions. Related information on Australian websites.Are there any side effects from donating blood?.Are there any reasons why I can’t donate blood in Australia?.We continue to urge the FDA to explore approaches that will expand the available donor base, while applying the best data, science and medical knowledge available to ensure continued safety of the community blood supply.

We understand and share the frustration of the LGBTQ community that even under the revised FDA guidelines some people who want to donate blood cannot. It reflects FDA consultation with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as current research from the U.S. The change is backed up by current testing accuracy, reliability, and medical science. We applaud the FDA’s decision as an important step toward creating an equal opportunity to give blood to support local patients. If you wish to receive a notification when the implementation date is announced, please join our mailing list here.īloodworks Northwest is among the first blood organizations in the U.S. Bloodworks considers implementing these changes to be an urgent priority. It typically takes blood centers months to implement changes of this magnitude. Specifics of the timeline are under development. We look forward to working over the coming months toward implementation of the new guidance and welcoming donors who have previously been deferred from blood donation. This is a big step in making blood donation more inclusive for the people, communities, and institutions we support, and creates an equal opportunity for everyone to save lives. On May 11th, 2023, the FDA formally announced its decision to implement gender-inclusive, individual risk assessment in determining donor eligibility. These guidelines remain in place while we work to welcome newly eligible donors under the FDA’s final guidance implementing individual blood donor assessments, a process that will take time. This means men who have not had sexual contact with another man in the past 3 months can be eligible to donate blood. The FDA guideline for men who have sex with men (MSM) is a 3-month deferral. After donation, it is good to add iron-rich foods like meat, spinach and beans to your diet, or to take an dietary iron supplement. Eat a healthy meal within four hours before you donate, and be sure to stay well hydrated with non-caffeinated fluids before and after donation. We want you to feel great after donating. We can help you determine what type of donation will help patients most. Generally speaking, eligibility for donating platelet, plasma or double reds cell is the same as for whole blood. Or you can do apheresis donations of platelets, plasma, or double red cells–a process that takes about 90 – 120 minutes. The most common is a whole blood donation, which usually takes less than an hour in total. If you meet eligibility requirements, we’ll discuss the blood donation that best matches your blood type and current local needs. Then you’ll meet a staff member for a short screening interview and quick physical examination.

You’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your health and travel history. Donating blood is a safe and simple process.
