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Donate Blood, Plasma or Platelets at CBD Centres & Receive a Free Limited Ed. Metallica T-Shirt @ Red Cross (Excl TAS, NT, ACT)

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Donate Blood, Plasma or Platelets at CBD Centres & Receive a Free Limited Ed. Metallica T-Shirt @ Red Cross (Excl TAS, NT, ACT)
Go to Deal
ciab on 24/09/2025 - 12:42 lifeblood.com.au (3159 clicks)
Last edited 24/09/2025 - 12:54 by 1 other user

Sign up to or be a member of Lifeblood Gifts (it takes just two minutes to sign up) and donate blood, plasma or platelets at one of these participating CBD centres during the below dates.

Or, if you’re a Lifeblood Team Champion, just book a group donation for your team for one of these donor centres and times and go along with your group to grab a tee.

Each centre is handing them out in the lead-up to their city’s M72 tour date so local Metallica fans can be decked in darkness for the epic day. Get in early to grab yours.

Perth Donor Centre October 25–31
Adelaide Donor Centre October 29 to November 4
Melbourne Donor Centre November 1–7
Brisbane Donor Centre November 5–11
Sydney Town Hall and York Street Donor Centres November 8–14

Health & Beauty Blood Donation Merchandise Metallica T-Shirt

Related Stores

Australian Red Cross
Australian Red Cross

Comments

    • ASR-Briggs on 24/09/2025 - 12:58
      +28

      Everyone should do it irrespective of diet. And when I say “everyone”, 60% of the population are eligible to donate, yet only 3% do.

      And if helping others isn’t your jam, yes there are health benefits for the donor. Donating plasma is proven to reduce the concentration of PFAS “forever chemicals” in your bloodstream, while donating in general is associated with lower all cause mortality. Much of which science can’t explain yet, but they suspect it has to do with forcing the body to turn over new cells.

      • Merish4U on 24/09/2025 - 13:18
        +12

        Your point is valid - and I say this as somebody who used to donate both whole blood and plasma (~35 total donations) but I eventually got jack of everyone in the donation chain making a personal profit EXCEPT for the donors themselves.

        I get the arguments against paid donations but IMHO they're more theoretical and quite weak. Ultimately IMHO outweighted by the common sense that the most vital folks in the entire process should get a lot more than a very ordinary milkshake and snack.

        I read that CSL ends up making $1000+ profit from products they derive from a single donation.

        • shroomish on 24/09/2025 - 13:22
          +18

          Perfect reason why it should be a state run not-for-profit.

          • Merish4U on 24/09/2025 - 13:27
            +4

            @shroomish: I think thats kind of how it used to be - CSL was 100% govt owned. I think that boat has sailed, but aside still doesn't address the pay or not pay question. As mentioned I am aware of the arguments against paying but I think they're very weak and not applied in other aspects of society - nor even in the same supply chain.

            What is clear is that the current system is not working. You have a bit of an 80/20 rule but worse i.e a small % of soceity is providing a massive % of the donations. Thats not equitable nor sustainable - which is why instead we're as a country paying to import blood products from overseas where they are often paid. Seems a tad arse backwards.

            • beeze on 24/09/2025 - 14:24
              +8

              @Merish4U: Same. Used to donate, got busy, had a kid. I don't need a lot, $50 would compensate my time. A Metallica shirt is an ok idea, but I don't like them and I'm into metal.

              There has to be a way of enticing, not guilting people. Like you say, a lot of money is changing hands including for advertising, why not find a way to pay regular, good donors just for their time, nothing fancy.

              • star-ggg on 25/09/2025 - 00:45

                @beeze: I always feel the people who cry about people taking advantage of the system if it was paid have never donated themselves. A plasma session is 90 minutes plus not every center can do it so let's just say an hour return commute on average. Even if it paid minimum wage for 90min nobody would do it just for the money.

          • ATTS on 24/09/2025 - 13:30

            @shroomish: Yeah i wqs gonna is t good thing if the blood collector not for profit

        • ASR-Briggs on 24/09/2025 - 13:24
          +5

          I’m at 17 (with 13 being plasma), so if that’s the case CSL is making a tidy profit off me too.

          Unfortunately comrade, until the revolution occurs and we seize the means of production, I can’t see anything changing in this space.

        • ozfool on 24/09/2025 - 14:42
          +3

          Yep, donors should be paid. We already purchase a lot of blood from america where they have that system, so we're basically already doing it with all the supposed drawbacks, just not to aussies.

          • bxpressiv on 24/09/2025 - 15:24
            +5

            @ozfool:

            We already purchase a lot of blood from america

            Correct, the short version is donating saves the government money. I grappled with this and try to ignore it. Lifeblood employs lots of people and puts a dent in the blood supply requirements. You won't see anywhere on the literature 'your donation is being sold to a drug company to produce blood products for profit to save lives!'.

        • WorstAgreeableRadish on 24/09/2025 - 17:11
          +1

          I read a very sensationalized article about the poor in the US selling their "life blood" to make ends meet. The part that struck me was what a pain in the ass it was to donate there.

          I would rather donate and be in and out in 30 min, than having a system where it's paid and run worse.

          Of course you can have both, but if we can only have one, I choose what we have now.

      • ATTS on 24/09/2025 - 13:30

        Just curious how much blood they draw from you in a singlr session? And how long it takes?

        • lemonadeX on 24/09/2025 - 13:34

          Typically around 500ml for a full blood donation, which will take between 5-15 minutes depending on how hydrated you are. Total time in the centre is around 30 minutes, as you need to do a few things first, like fill out a questionnaire, have them test your blood pressure and haemoglobin etc.

        • BigBoogs on 24/09/2025 - 13:39

          I think it is like 475 ml if you are doing blood (this takes blood, plasma and platelets all on one session) and the blood draining process is around 5-7 minutes but the whole process is like 15-30 minutes depending on your recovery and how many free snacks you want to eat.
          I'm now sure how much is taken when you do just plasmas as I have never donated just plasma.

          • Merish4U on 24/09/2025 - 15:01
            +2

            @BigBoogs: Plasma donation takes significantly longer - you're generally hooked up for 45min and the entire visit will be up to 90mins.

            The volume they take is increased over time and is limited by a calculation they have for your bodysize i.e a 6'6 guy has more drawn from him than a 5'2 female. So quite logical. This is definitely the case with plasma (which is what i mainly did) I assume it would be the same with whole blood as well - so they start out taking less, if you handle it ok they ramp it up slightly over time.

            • ASR-Briggs on 24/09/2025 - 16:03

              @Merish4U: First time you donate they will calculate what 13% of your plasma stores are and take that. If you can take that, next time they up it to 16%. That being said, the maximum they can take is 879mL as that is the capacity of the bags.

      • rodericb on 24/09/2025 - 14:02
        +2

        Very important to balance the humours. Barbers used to do bloodletting. They should bring that back.

        • Intoxicoligist on 24/09/2025 - 14:17
          -1

          I'm not qualified, but I'm enthusiastic and have a can do attitude ;)

      • Herbs on 24/09/2025 - 16:02
        +1

        Sooo, you're giving your PFAS to other people? Or is your blood donation filtered first?

        • ASR-Briggs on 24/09/2025 - 16:06
          +1

          I donate in a regional area, so 100% of the plasma I donate goes toward making medications. However if you’re in the city, yes, there’s a chance your plasma is used for straight transfusions.

        • WorstAgreeableRadish on 24/09/2025 - 18:21
          +1

          I don't know if it's filtered, but I would rather have some extra PFAS than not enough blood when I really need it.

          Since it's safe to assume that the person who needs your blood does so because they lost a lot of theirs, the whole ordeal should leave them with less PFAS than they had before.

      • Trishool on 24/09/2025 - 17:10
        -4

        And if helping others isn’t your jam

        Let's skip the guilt trip please.

        • ASR-Briggs on 24/09/2025 - 17:54
          +2

          Let’s not. If you were in an accident, or got chronically unwell, and required blood to survive, you would expect to receive it while having contributed nothing yourself.

          • Trishool on 24/09/2025 - 19:13
            -2

            @ASR-Briggs: So guilt tripping is the way to get people to do this, is it? Lol. Don't treat others like children please, I don't need internet cyber heroes to tell me what's right. If anything it's extremely off putting. Good gestures should come to people out of desire to help, not guilt.

            • ASR-Briggs on 24/09/2025 - 19:19
              +1

              @Trishool: You can label it guilt tripping if you want. But you choose to live in our society. Yet you elect to be propped up by others while contributing nothing of your own.

              In my mind, it should be a societal obligation. The only reason that it’s not FOR YOU SPECIFICALLY, is because other people are willing to take up the slack.

              • Trishool on 24/09/2025 - 19:21
                -2

                @ASR-Briggs:

                Yet you elect to be propped up by others while contributing nothing of your own.

                Says who? Find the dude who was at the anti immigration protests recently 😂

                In my mind, it should be a societal obligation.

                How entitled to your weird opinions, but the last time I checked we didn't live in a dictatorship.

                The only reason that it’s not FOR YOU SPECIFICALLY, is because other people are willing to take up the slack.

                To assume makes an ass of you not me.

                • ASR-Briggs on 24/09/2025 - 19:25

                  @Trishool: What a bizarre tangent to go off on. Can you draw the link for me between being community minded and anti-immigration protests? I’m not as smart as you, clearly, so I don’t understand

    • Alexxx on 24/09/2025 - 13:03
      +5

      Hard to do it every month when they only let you do whole blood every 3 months.

      • marshmall0w2 on 24/09/2025 - 13:05
        -4

        You can do blood letting (phlebotomy) or what's more aptly called a therapeutic venesection with a registered nurse too.

      • ASR-Briggs on 24/09/2025 - 13:05
        +2

        Yeah that was a red flag for me too that he doesn’t actually do it lmao

      • marshmall0w2 on 24/09/2025 - 13:44

        Nope. For men who don't lose blood, you enter iron saturation which binds and works against testosterone and other hormones and causes severe chronic inflammation.

        • kungfuman on 24/09/2025 - 13:51
          +1

          I have been on a keto diet for years no inflammation since i started.

          • marshmall0w2 on 24/09/2025 - 14:00

            @kungfuman: Check your bloods bro. Do a full iron panel test. Also check your Vitamin D levels.

            • kungfuman on 24/09/2025 - 14:06

              @marshmall0w2: yep I have 10,000 IU of vitamin D a day I am not deficient at all. My bloods came back last week they are more than perfect.

              I do keto right so I make sure my vitamins are balanced and I fast for 3 days every 3 months.

              I also have a new age doctor that keeps up with the latest research especially with keto. When keto is done right its highly effective.

      • BestTechAdvisor on 24/09/2025 - 13:44

        Either it's not really a carnivore diet or it's not healthy.

        You will literally get scurvy like a 16th century pirate.

        • kungfuman on 24/09/2025 - 13:52

          the problem is people either dont' do it right or they don't fully commit to the diet. thats why they go wrong for people they don't get all the information involved in doing these diets.

          • BestTechAdvisor on 24/09/2025 - 15:17
            +2

            @kungfuman: I've heard fruitarians say the exact same thing.

            Carnivore diet isn't backed by science nor can you make an appeal to nature as we're naturally omnivores.

            You need fibre, you need vitamin C, your brain runs optimally on glucose, etc.

            • kungfuman on 24/09/2025 - 15:19

              @BestTechAdvisor: the important thing is education though before you even do any of these diets you need a full plan covering everything you can''t just dive into it and hope for the best with no information, which many people seem to do. There are alot of medical studies done on keto and carnivore diets. The issue is there is alot of frustration in the science community because the studies and research and come back with good results.

      • Alley Cat on 24/09/2025 - 14:21
        +1

        You are wasting your time here. I don't even bring it up to people, been on it for the last decade, although I have to cycle from time to time due to circumstances. When people tell me about their cholesterol problems, I just say, "Well, you should do what your doctors tell you. I definitely do not have that problem." It's definitely not for everyone because of a) the learning curve about foodstuff, b) the ability to connect to your own body also requires training, c) the fears.

        • kungfuman on 24/09/2025 - 14:32

          Keto done right with fasting, is highly beneficial for health, and I do listen to my doctor she is the one guiding me through Keto and fasting, and monitoring me. So I am doing exactly what my doctor is telling me.

          • Alley Cat on 24/09/2025 - 15:13

            @kungfuman: When keto is done right, you do not do it 'with fasting', it's something naturally takes place as you learn your body. You only do it intentionally during the first two years or so to get yourself fully keto-adapted. I butter-fast for a day, by noon the next, I am fully in ketosis, no hacks, no glycogen-depletion exercises, bicarb, etc. This was done a few weeks ago to benchmark my body.

            • kungfuman on 24/09/2025 - 15:16

              @Alley Cat: yeah my fasting schedule is a 3 day fast once every 3 to 4 months, and after the fast you feel amazing its like you hit the reset button on your body. it does help with the low carb intake of only 50g per day and almost no sugar because you don't get many or any side effects using your fast. I do like the effects you get from a good fast.

    • Masticccc on 24/09/2025 - 13:44

      Unless you do platelets/plasma every fortnight, I don't think you need to be that excessively prepare.

    • happy1923 on 24/09/2025 - 14:32

      Can you choose how much to donate? Once you donate full blood, I think lifeblood blocks you from booking an appointment.

      https://www.lifeblood.com.au/donors/blood-plasma-platelets/l…
      How often can I give blood?

      Every 12 weeks. If you're keen to donate more often, you can give plasma or platelets every 2 weeks (or 4 weeks after giving blood. Then you can give blood again 2 weeks later).

  • JoelG on 24/09/2025 - 12:55
    +16

    drink lots of water in the leadup, it's hell trying to donate when you're dehydrated

    • frewer on 24/09/2025 - 13:31
      -8

      Water doesn't hydrate a person; water + electrolytes does.

      • sh4hp on 24/09/2025 - 13:45
        +2

        Probably, but I know it's much easier on my donations (just ticked over 50 with 35 of them platelets/plasma) when I drink a glass of water every hour the day before.

      • sauce2k on 24/09/2025 - 13:45

        SCIENCE

    • jmc787 on 24/09/2025 - 17:21

      This is the number one tip for making it a breeze. Start hydrating up the night before. My donations typically take just over 5 mins, i see people who are sitting there doing it when i'm walking over and they're still sitting there when i'm getting up afterwards.

      • Tommyaka on 25/09/2025 - 01:31
        +1

        Are they making the same kind of donations as you? Some types of donations take longer then others.

  • Alexxx on 24/09/2025 - 13:04
    +4

    I donated earlier this month so can't donate until December :(

    • Irishness on 24/09/2025 - 13:07

      same :-(

    • nightelves on 24/09/2025 - 13:08

      Does it hurt?

      • jmc787 on 24/09/2025 - 13:27

        A pinprick in your finger to check your ferratin before donation and then a pinch/sting when the needle goes in. Very easy overall.

      • Chazzozz on 24/09/2025 - 13:30

        That’s a very subjective question. If you’re not particularly squeamish or afraid of needles then, no, it doesn’t really hurt much except when the needle first goes in. I find that a good nurse (and the vast majority of them are excellent nurses) will get it in promptly and any pain is momentary & settles down quickly. If it does start to hurt don’t try to tough it out (like I did once) because it could mean something is wrong and they can address it immediately.

        If, however, the sight or thought of blood, needles, medical procedures, etc, freak you out then it’s best to avoid. While it’s true a very low percentage of the population donates there are some who simply cannot for a variety of reasons, so no sense subjecting yourself to an unpleasant experience.

    • gedge10 on 24/09/2025 - 13:11
      +7

      You can donate plasma 4 weeks after donating blood! https://www.lifeblood.com.au/donors/blood-plasma-platelets/l…

    • Dalryk on 24/09/2025 - 13:41

      I'm in the same boat. On the plus side, the shirt looks a bit shit, so we're not missing out on much!

    • Sprezza on 24/09/2025 - 14:49

      Plasma that bad boy!!!

    • dankru on 24/09/2025 - 15:10

      Platelets or plasma may be an option.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 24/09/2025 - 13:06
    -7

    Fyi in the USA they get paid for "give blood"

    Good on anyone who does give blood it saves lifes but people should be compensated

    • HamBoi69 on 24/09/2025 - 13:07
      +15

      Why? Humans help humans. Why do we need to pay people to do it? That’s America and capitalism for you….

      • nightelves on 24/09/2025 - 13:09
        +2

        I’ll propose that idea to a tradie. Humans help humans.

        • topherboi on 24/09/2025 - 13:59
          +1

          You don't have to do it for a living, just helping for free every now and then is sufficient.

      • Dalryk on 24/09/2025 - 13:15
        +1

        I think the argument is if we pay people, more people will do it.

        Lifeblood themselves don't do it for free I can tell you that.

      • Merish4U on 24/09/2025 - 13:21
        +1

        No negs from me - I see what you're saying but in any number of other fields where 'humans help humans' they're still remunerated. So it's not a mutually exclusive thing where you have to choose one or the other.

        As mentioned earlier literally EVERY other person in the entire donation process chain (except for the poor old lady who's volunteering to staff the recovery kitchen) is paid….CSL make an absolute motza out of it.

      • beeze on 24/09/2025 - 14:26
        +4

        I used to donate. I now have the call centers blocked.
        If they don't get enough and people on the path get paid, why not the donors? Giving is great, but there isn't enough, that's the issue and money is being spent any which way.

        • Merish4U on 24/09/2025 - 14:55

          Yes, they can be pesky when they're wanting a particular thing - if you login to your account there's an opt in/out for being contacted for marketing etc - I used to get pestered a lot as well (which I found very annoying) and once I found that and selected to NOT be called I've never heard from them again.

    • ASR-Briggs on 24/09/2025 - 13:09

      That’s because it’s the land of capitalism. The donors get paid, but corporations still profit off it. They on sell the plasma to other countries (like us) who don’t produce enough domestically.

      • shroomish on 24/09/2025 - 13:24
        +2

        Capital must grow, and will eventually eat the structures that sustains it.

    • Jayphen on 24/09/2025 - 13:15
      +6

      You get compensated by saving some lives. You also get free sausage rolls, meat pies, and flavoured milk. That's enough for me!

    • Hinee on 24/09/2025 - 13:42
      +1

      The US system is the WORST possible example you could use as an alternative to donations. Blood is fully industrialised over there at the cost of equality.

    • amaneight on 24/09/2025 - 23:05

      FYI Lifeblood is a not-for-profit organisation, and the companies that pay donors in US are big corporates.

  • SnowDragon on 24/09/2025 - 13:08

    What did TAS, NT and ACT do 😕. It's actually a decent shirt too.

    • beltdrive on 24/09/2025 - 13:12
      +4

      What did TAS, NT and ACT do

      be an island and territories, respectively

    • Arthur Dent on 24/09/2025 - 15:25
      +1

      From the Lifeblood website:

      The shirts are only available at the participating CBD donor centres coinciding with the week leading up to Metallica’s M72 concerts in each city. We hope that doesn’t make us The Unforgiven. Metallica, All Within My Hands and Lifeblood still appreciate your support. Every donation still saves lives: a sea of hearts beat as one.

  • beltdrive on 24/09/2025 - 13:11
    +3

    Reign in Blood

    Wait

  • Burger R on 24/09/2025 - 13:24

    While stock last. All are in city centre area. Would that be people queuing up to donate.?

    • TheDukeOfNukem on 24/09/2025 - 13:28
      +3

      Exactly. I hate needles but think this is really cool. If I could book a slot and guarantee a shirt I honestly would, but I'm a good 2 hours away from the one in the city and don't majorly want to train that twice (or pay a good 50 in fuel) to be told "(profanity) off there's no shirts left"

      • Jayphen on 24/09/2025 - 13:43
        +1

        They have a limited number of slots to book so I imagine they've created the promo windows with that in mind.

        That said, I wouldn't recommend travelling 2 hours (on your own) to a donor centre as some people do feel a bit woozy/sleepy afterwards

        • JakeyJooJoo on 24/09/2025 - 19:30

          Gotta consider shirt sizes. You could easily have a slot only to learn you don't get a useful shirt because you're not XS or XXXL

  • illogicalerror on 24/09/2025 - 13:28

    I'd be all over this if it was close to me, nearest donation centre of any kind is 200 clicks away at a guess though :-/

  • DevonBlaze on 24/09/2025 - 13:43
    -3

    Wait so non-money form of payment is acceptable for donating blood?
    Seems like a loophole?

    • mskeggs on 24/09/2025 - 14:14
      +1

      They've given out snacks, stickers, key rings, pens etc for at least the last 50 years.
      Why not give it a go? You might find it is good for your spirit, even without cash payment.

  • Hinee on 24/09/2025 - 13:54
    +1

    This is such an amazing thing for them to do. I'll be at the Brisbane show so I'm gonna do my best to donate and grab a shirt. Great post.

  • Alley Cat on 24/09/2025 - 14:09

    What a dope deal!

  • bxpressiv on 24/09/2025 - 14:11
    +1

    Saw the email this morning -sad face- donate every fortnight and not available in the ACT.

  • WillisAU on 24/09/2025 - 14:19
    +3

    Interesting note from the FAQ

    What sizes will be available?

    L, XL, XXL, but the sizes available at participating centres will vary and will be while stocks last

    RIP skinny and little people

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