LIFEBLOOD Australia has defended their current requirements on who can donate blood.

This comes after Yen Sanderson of Wangaratta submitted a letter to the editor (see page 6) in which she said she was disappointed she couldn’t donate blood due to weighing less than 50kg (see page 6).

Ms Sanderson explained in her letter that she was able to donate blood in Singapore but was rejected from doing so in Australia.

“Before I migrated to Australia from Singapore, I was already a blood donor,” she said.

“Until today, the minimum weight for blood donations in Singapore remains at 45kg.”

“I don’t understand how it is safe in Singapore and yet unsafe in Australia for me to donate blood.”

An Australian Red Cross Lifeblood spokesperson said the rules around the weight restrictions of donors were changed due to an internal review conducted in 2015.

"The review of donor safety found donors who weigh less than 50kg are more likely to faint or feel unwell post-donation,” they said.

The spokesperson also said this is because in Australia 470ml of blood is drawn for a donation whereas in Singapore they draw 350 to 450ml of blood.

“We understand it can be frustrating when people are committed to donating blood and are unable to do so, but we must prioritise our donor safety,” the spokesperson said.

For more information on donor eligibility in Australia, visit www.lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.