Tens of thousands of people with a common genetic condition who need to give blood as part of their medical treatment are being urged to consider donating at an Australian Red Cross Lifeblood donor centre to save lives.
Haemochromatosis, which 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 1 in every 180-200 people.
The primary treatment to reduce high levels of iron is the removal of blood, which is typically done every 12 weeks.
Currently in Australia around 73,000 bags of blood taken from patients at pathology and GP services to treat haemochromatosis are discarded every year. Many of these patients could instead donate at a Lifeblood donor centre and their blood could be used to save lives.
With blood demand nationally at a 12 year-high, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is joining forces with the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) and Haemochromatosis Australia to encourage people with haemochromatosis to speak to their GP about donating at a Lifeblood donor centre.
New Lifeblood research reveals that many aren’t aware their blood can be used to save lives, a misconception that could be preventing donations.
“Unlike many other chronic health problems, this condition has a positive spin-off for others, and people with the condition have the potential to contribute greatly to the blood supply as they often need to give blood frequently,” said Lifeblood researcher, Dr Peter Bentley.
“People with haemochromatosis make up 2.5% of the Australian blood donor panel, with 15,000 donors already making 37,000 donations every year at Lifeblood donor centres.”
Lifeblood surveyed 4,000 people with the condition who had previously donated blood to Lifeblood to understand barriers to donating at Lifeblood and why they choose to access treatment where they do.
“Almost 90% of donations from people with this condition are useable, however around 40% of people we surveyed didn’t know their blood could be used to save lives,” said Dr Bentley.
“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.”
In 1988, Australia became one of the first countries in the world to accept blood donations from people with haemochromatosis. Lifeblood also recently moved to test iron levels in first-time donors, picking up people with both very high, and very low iron, including those potentially with haemochromatosis.
RACGP President, Dr Nicole Higgins encouraged patients with haemochromatosis to give blood.
“If you have iron overload, working with a GP to self-manage haemochromatosis and reduce the risk of complications in a way that motivates you and makes you feel like you’re in control has positive benefits for patients. Making your treatment beneficial for others though blood donations could be a great motivator to keep you on track,” Dr Higgins said.
“It’s rare that a condition’s treatment can benefit other patients, so patients with iron overload and their GPs should definitely consider donating blood via a service that can use it to help others.”
In 2022, Lifeblood became the first blood service in the world to accept plasma donations for people with haemochromatosis, which can be made in between their regular blood donations.
“Enabling this group to make plasma donations was a world-leading initiative,” said Haemochromatosis Australia spokesperson (and patient/blood donor), Matthew Howie.
“This valuable group of donors are predominantly men over 40, who make perfect plasma donors.
“What this means is that instead of being treated as haemochromatosis patients, this valuable group of donors, who are some of the nation’s most reliable, are treated as lifesaving blood donors.”
Donations from people with haemochromatosis currently save up to 111,000 lives a year, and, with greater awareness, Lifeblood believes they could save tens of thousands more.
Haemochromatosis Australia currently tracks the number of donations made and lives saved by haemochromatosis patients, which go towards a national tally as part of Lifeblood Teams.
“We initiated this team to make sure those who are new to donating blood at Lifeblood don’t feel alone and rather part of something bigger – that together we can make a huge contribution,” said Mr Howie.
To donate, please call 13 14 95 or visit donate.blood.com.au. Those with haemochromatosis should seek a referral from their GP to their local Lifeblood donor centre using Lifeblood’s High Ferritin App.
