June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, when people around the globe raise awareness of the need for safe blood and thank donors for their life-saving gifts, so it is a good time to consider a blood donation.
At some point in their life, one in three Australians will need blood. Meanwhile NZ Blood says that they require approximately 3,500 donations each and every week to meet current hospital needs.
If you are aged between 16 and 66, healthy, and weigh more than 50kg, you may be eligible to give blood and help save a life.
However, there are some conditions that may affect your eligibility, such as having a recent tattoo, being pregnant or a new mum, or having low iron levels.
To find out if you are a suitable candidate go to:
Australia – Australian Red Cross
New Zealand – NZ Blood