MOST sexual activity wait times for life-saving plasma donations have been removed this week by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, safely paving the way for many gay and bisexual men, transgender people, sex workers, and people on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEPi) to help save lives.
Previous donor rules prevented many people from the LGBTQIA+ and sex worker communities from donating plasma if they had sex within the past three months.
Plasma, the ‘liquid gold’ part of the blood, is now the donation type most needed by Australian patients, with treatment for more than 50 medical conditions reliant on its supply.
Some 625,000 Australians may become eligible to donate plasma, with Lifeblood anticipating around 95,000 additional donations of plasma to be made each year.
CEO Stephen Cornelissen AM thanked the community for their overwhelming support of these changes. He said importantly the change, “Will allow those on PrEP to become the first in the world to donate plasma without a wait period.”
Lifeblood has also been progressing changes to blood and platelets donation eligibility, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules.
These changes – known as gender-neutral assessments – are expected to be introduced in 2026, and once implemented, will see all donors being asked the same questions about sexual activity, regardless of gender or sexuality.
To book a donation call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood App. Shepparton’s Lifeblood Centre is located via the Coles Carpark entrance.
