Lifeblood’s Blood Donor Centres across Queensland have welcomed 7,000 new blood and plasma donors in the year since the ‘mad cow’ ban was lifted.
More than 1,000 of these people live on the Sunshine Coast.
It includes Patrick O’Kane, who has embraced his newly eligible status by donating blood and plasma 26 times.
Lifeblood spokesperson Belinda Smetioukh has thanked Mr O’Kane and everyone who had been impacted by this rule for their donations, which are now accounting for nearly one in ten donations in Australia.
“We expected 18,000 new donors would roll up their sleeves, but more than 34,000 have come forward nationally,” Ms Smetioukh said.
“All up more than 123,000 donations were made in the first 12 months by people who lived in the United Kingdom between 1980 and 1996, which is a fantastic result.
On the Sunshine Coast, there have been 1,100 new donors who made 3,800 blood and plasma donations.
“However, the reality is that with demand at its highest in a decade, we still need more donors to boost supplies and there are still more than 800,000 people who may have become eligible because of this rule change,” she said.
“Right now, in particular, we need more people with O positive and O negative to book a donation.”
Australia was one of the first countries in the world to lift the ‘mad cow’ ban, which had been in place since 2000 as a precautionary measure.
It impacted people who lived in the United Kingdom for six months or more between 1980 and 1996.
A comprehensive review found the ban could be removed while continuing to ensure that Australia’s blood supply remained one of the safest in the world.
Lifeblood regularly reviews eligibility rules to ensure as many people as possible are able to give blood, without compromising safety.
Given rules do change Ms Smetioukh added it’s likely many people don’t realise they are now eligible to donate blood and plasma.
“I urge the community not to rule themselves out. Spread the word and encourage friends, colleagues and loved ones to check their eligibility and donate now if they can,” she said.
To check your eligibility and book a donation, call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood app.
Key statistics for UK donors in the first 12 months
· Contributed 8% of all blood and plasma donations
· 76% returned for a second donation (the average new donor return rate is 60%)
· 95 people have donated more than 20 times in a year
