Australia Expands Donor Eligibility for Cancer Survivors

Australians who have fully recovered from non-hematological cancers are now eligible to donate blood and plasma 12 months after completing treatment, the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood announced July 25. Individuals with a history of blood cancer remain ineligible.

Australia’s health regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, approved the change in response to research from Lifeblood, which demonstrated that current five-year deferral period could be safely reduced to 12 months without compromising donor or recipient safety. Returning donors must have written confirmation from their doctor that they are in remission and meet all other health criteria.