Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is urging tens of thousands of people with a common genetic condition who need to give blood as part of their medical treatment, to consider doing so at a donor centre to save lives.
Haemochromatosis, a condition that causes the body to store too much iron, is linked to cancer and organ damage and is the most common genetic disorder in Australia, affecting one in every 180-200 people.
The main treatment to reduce high levels of iron is the removal of blood, which is typically done every 12 weeks.
In Australia, around 73,000 bags of blood taken from patients at pathology and GP services to treat haemochromatosis are discarded every year.
With blood demand nationally at a 12 year-high, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is joining forces with The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Haemochromatosis Australia to encourage people with haemochromatosis to speak to their GP about donating at a Lifeblood donor centre.
New research by Lifeblood revealed that many are not aware that their blood can be used to save lives – a misconception that could be preventing donations.
Lifeblood researcher Dr Peter Bentley said that people with haemochromatosis have the potential to contribute to the blood supply as they often need to give blood.
“People with haemochromatosis make up 2.5 per cent of the Australian blood donor panel, with 15,000 donors already making 37,000 donations every year at Lifeblood donor centres,” Mr Bentley said.
“Almost 90 per cent of donations from people with this condition are useable, however around 40 per cent of people we surveyed didn’t know their blood could be used to save lives,” he said.
“We know that not everyone will be eligible to donate, or it may not be convenient if people don’t live close to a donor centre, but we believe that even if some of those 73,000 bags of discarded blood, were donated at a Lifeblood centre, it would make a significant difference to the nation’s blood supplies and the lives of patients across Australia at a time of record high demand.”
Donations from people with haemochromatosis currently save up to 111,000 lives a year, and with greater awareness, Lifeblood believes this figure could be tens of thousands more.
Donations can be arranged by calling 13 14 95 or visiting donate.blood.com.au
