It’s not too late to give blood

If you’re heading towards retirement, or well into your golden years, helping save lives through blood donations is now easier than ever.

Last November, a number of changes were made to NZ Blood Service’s (NZBS) donor eligibility criteria, which enabled more people to give blood.

The biggest of these changes was the extension of the upper age limit – new donors can now make their first blood or plasma donation until they turn 71 (previously, it was 66).

Existing donors and lapsed donors may now be able to donate up until they are 81. NZBS national marketing and communications manager Asuka Burge said more than 300 donors may benefit from this change.

“We are thrilled to extend the age criteria for both new and existing donors, so age is no longer a barrier to donation for eligible, fit and healthy donors. “We know there will be plenty of donors who will be delighted to hear this news and encourage anyone who thought they might be too old to donate for the first time to consider giving lifesaving blood or plasma.”

The service regularly reviews its eligibility criteria based on scientific evidence and international best practice, she said.

The changes were submitted to Medsafe for approval before being implemented. Other changes include reduced stand down periods for donors with certain medical conditions or those who have undergone a medical procedure.

Also, if a person has recently had a tattoo or body piercing, the stand down period has been decreased to three months. “We strongly encourage everyone to review the new criteria, especially if you are a donor over 71 or if you have never donated and you are under 71 years of age,” Burge said.

“It may be that you can continue donating blood or plasma or start your donation journey today. Please get in touch and speak with one of our team to see if this is possible.” Aucklander Paul Tomlin, who is the country’s top donor, has many more years left of giving blood thanks to the extension.

Tomlin was 19 years old when he first signed up to be a blood donor – he was accompanying his uncle and had agreed to give a few minutes of his day to donate blood. Although he did not set out to break any records, Tomlin continued making blood donations on a regular basis for the next 45 years and has more than 600 donations under his belt.

Like clockwork, he shows up at Auckland’s Epsom donor centre every second Friday at 7.30am. “The donor centre is on my way to work so I book my appointments and just stop by before I start my workday”. Tomlin works at the University of Auckland as a technician and said his workplace has been supportive, which has only fuelled his dedication. “I never thought I’d get to this many donations, but the truth is I never really thought about it. “I’ve just kept it up because it’s such a worthy cause.”

He began donating whole blood before making the switch to plasma, aprocedure that takes about 45 minutes once on the donor bed, and involves an automated process where the donor

gives only a certain part or component of their blood. The donor’s blood is collected, and the red blood cells, plasma and platelets are separated.

The plasma is then extracted, and the red blood cells and platelets are returned to the donor using a process called “apheresis”. Plasma collected in New Zealand is used to make up to 11

different life-saving medical treatments for people with immune deficiency related health issues.

More information about the donor eligibility changes can be found at www.nzblood.co.nz.