Donating blood in Brisbane can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. Not only will you help contribute to life saving treatments for patients in Australian hospitals, you’ll feel great doing it. If you’ve ever wondered what’s involved in donating blood, where you can donate blood in Brisbane and where your blood goes, we’ve got all the answers you need.
Where to donate blood in Brisbane?
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (Lifeblood) is the only organisation in Australia that is licensed to collect, process, manufacture and distribute blood and blood products for patients. Lifeblood has a national footprint meaning a donor centre is probably closer than you think.
In Brisbane, you can donate blood in a range of permanent donor centres or at several mobile donor centres across the city. If you work or live near the city then you’re best bet is to make an appointment at Brisbane Donor Centre located on Edward Street. This donor centre has a lot of appointments and can accommodate before or after work appointments as well.
For donor centres located on Brisbane’s Northside, you’ve got Chermside, Strathpine or even as far out as Ipswich. For Brisbane’s Southside, there is a donor centre located at Springwood, otherwise there a range of mobile donor centre locations across the Southside of Brisbane.
Depending on the type of donation you’d like to make, whether it’s blood, plasma or platelets will determine which donor centre is best for you. If you only donate blood, a static or mobile donor centre will be perfect. For plasma and platelet donations, a static donor centre is best.
What is the difference in donations?
Donated blood in Brisbane or any other location across Australia is used to help save patients with a critical need. Blood donations usually take anywhere from 5-15 minutes for the actual donation, with the appointment taking around an hour. The additional time is used to fill out your questionnaire and have a short interview to make sure it’s safe for you to donate.
Plasma and platelet donations are a little different and take a little bit longer. These donations can take anywhere from 30-90 minutes for the actual donation process, with the appointments taking anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours. The reason it takes longer to donate plasma or platelets is because you get certain components back during your donation. For example, in a plasma donation you get your red blood cells back, making it a perfect donation for anyone with lower iron levels.
Each of the donations are life saving and can be used in different ways to help Australian patients.
How are donations used?
How blood donations in Brisbane are used, is commonly misconstrued. Most people who donate blood or who have thought about donating blood think donations are used for trauma incidents, like a car accident, this isn’t the case. Most blood donations go to patients who are currently battling or being treated for cancer.
These donations are critical to help these patients lead healthy and happy lives whilst undergoing treatment. Each blood donation in Brisbane can be used to help save the lives of 3 Australian patients.
Plasma donations in Brisbane are used a little differently. There are two uses of plasma donations:
- To help treat patients immediately in hospitals – usually to help treat autoimmune conditions that require transfusions
- Used to manufacture other treatments for patients living with autoimmune conditions
Both uses of plasma are critical to help those living with autoimmune conditions healthy and happy lives. Patients who rely on plasma transfusions or plasma derived products often require these treatment regularly, so regular donations are critical.
Platelet donations are some of the most critical donations collected by Lifeblood. This is because platelet donations don’t last as long as blood or plasma donations. Platelet donations have a shelf-life of only 5 days, so these donations are often used immediately in hospital to help treat patients.
As you can see, donating blood, plasma or platelets is critical for all Australian patients. If you’re located in Brisbane and looking to donate, use this guide to help find the closest centre for you.
You can check out more of Brisbane has to offer here!
