Blood myth busting: Too old to donate

Have you been thinking about donating, but are worried you’re too old to give? Find out why age is no barrier to saving lives.

Why we’re rethinking the age conversation

You might hear about Australia’s ageing population in the news in a negative light. But at Lifeblood, we’re flipping the script. It might surprise you to learn there’s already more than 1,700 donors giving life in their 80s, and our oldest donor is an impressive 93 years old!

Our researchers have been digging into why older Aussies might think they’re not able to donate blood. Some believe they need to retain their blood to age healthily. Let’s bust that myth: your body replenishes your donated fluid lost within only 24-48 hours and healthy older donors can replace cells and proteins at the same rate as younger donors.
Others might think that the quality of blood decreases with age, but there is no scientific evidence that blood quality changes as you get older. In fact, our team have found that donating blood can be a positive aspect of ageing.

The positives of blood donation

At a time when you might be finding yourself with more spare time thanks to lifestyle changes like reduction in caring responsibilities or transitioning out of work, donating blood can give a strong sense of ongoing personal health, an opportunity for social connection, and is an easily accessible way to give back to your community. Our donors have told us that having more time to establish a routine, and the warm glow of giving back are key reasons they give blood.

You’ll join a group of donation superstars

Did you know that donors over 50 are our most reliable and consistent donors? 80% of people who donate for the first time when they’re over 60 come back to save more lives, compared to only 62% of those aged under 40.
Your first ever donation must come before you turn 76, so book in to donate today if you’re feeling healthy and well. If you’re unsure, you can always contact us online or call 13 14 95 to answer questions about your medical history. In many cases, you can still donate if an existing medical condition is well controlled, even with medication.
For existing donors over 80, you can continue to donate with no upper limit, as long as you have donated in the last 5 years.

Book in to save up to three lives