‘They’re not afraid of needles’: Inked Aussies now able to donate blood sooner

A new study has found a large group of Australians will be able to give blood sooner which could contribute to 10,000 more donations a year.

Freshly inked Aussies no longer have to wait four months to donate blood, with new research finding donors can roll up their sleeves one week after their tattoo appointment.

From Monday, the wait time to give blood from newly tatted donors has significantly reduced, potentially contributing to as much as 10,000 more donations each year.

Previously, those who recently got a tat could only make a plasma donation and were required to wait a quarter of a year before they could give blood.

But a new study by Lifeblood in partnership with Kirby Institute at the University of NSW has found those who are inked at a licensed Australian tattoo parlour or cosmetic clinic can donate blood much sooner.

Those with fresh ink no longer have to wait four months before they can give blood. Picture: iStock

“Lifeblood is always committed to looking at ways to allow more people to give blood, and we continue to monitor new research and health data and update our deferrals accordingly,” a Lifeblood spokesperson told news.com.au.

“We want as many Australians as possible to be able to give blood, without compromising safety.”

Researchers collected data and evidence from tattooed plasma donors prior to the discovery which followed an earlier study that found people who lived in the UK during the ‘mad cow disease’ outbreak could also safely donate blood.

Lifeblood executive director of donor experience, Cath Stone, said that with one in four Aussies now inked, the change could significantly boost the number of donors across the country.

It’s hoped that the change will see up to 10,000 extra people donate blood. Picture: Supplied

“People with tattoos are perfect donors because we know they’re not afraid of needles – one of the biggest barriers for new donors donating blood or plasma for the first time,” she said.

“We want to make sure everyone knows being inked doesn’t disqualify them from donating.”

She added: “Close to 10,000 donors report one or more tattoos a year to lifeblood, so we’re hopeful this rule change could lead to an extra 10,000 blood donations a year.”

Ms Stone also hopes the change will educate Australians on the rules around giving blood after a Lifeblood survey found 15 per cent of Australians believed having a tattoo meant they couldn‘t donate at all.

The change to blood donation rules for tattooed Australians comes as demand for the lifesaving substance is at its highest level in nearly a decade as hospitals catch-up on surgeries post-pandemic, a spokesperson said. Demand for plasma is also the highest it’s ever been.

“We have around 530,000 generous blood donors serving 25.7 million people. There are now more than three million extra people living in Australia than there were ten years ago, but the number of people who donate hasn’t changed,” the spokesperson said.

Blood donations are at their lowest levels in 10 years. Picture: Denis Charlet / AFP

“We need others to become donors too. The need for blood doesn’t stop. This week alone we still need an extra 5200 people to donate blood and plasma across the country to help patients in need.”

A recent estimate by Lifeblood based on work done with the Kirby Institute found just 2.7 per cent of Australians aged between 18 and 70 donate blood.

“The number of donations in Australia has increased recently but the number of donors (proportionally) has not,” a spokesperson said.

“This is because we have a small army of very committed blood plasma donors who are giving more – about 30,000 who give more than two to three times a year.”

For those interested in rolling up their sleeves, information on the eligibility criteria and where you can donate blood can be found on the Lifeblood website.

Originally published as ‘They’re not afraid of needles’: Inked Aussies now able to donate blood sooner