Glenhazel resident aims for 400 blood donations
“Through conversation, I try to encourage people to donate but many say the process is sore or that it doesn’t interest them.”
With the South African National Blood Services in critical need of blood, a Glenhazel resident and blood donor encouraged others to donate blood and save lives.
With 340 donations under his belt, 73-year-old Les Taitz spoke to Bedfordview and Edenvale News about the importance of donating blood.
His most recent donation was made in June. It was also during this month that he was presented with a certificate from SANBS for his 325th donation.
Although he used to donate blood at the Linksfield branch, he is now a regular at the Greenstone SANBS branch
Starting his blood donation journey at the age of 18 years old while a learner at the then Witbank Boarding School.
“As I was in the higher classes I was allowed to study in the hostel and a message came through from Witbank’s blood services stating that they are short of blood-requesting donors,” said Les.
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Les said the headmasters in charge told the learners that anyone over the age of 18, who wishes to donate blood, would get the remainder of the study period off.
“Hearing this I ran, I took up the opportunity, not necessarily to give blood at the time but to get out of studying.”
After matriculating Les said he continued donating because he wanted to.
“It was something good for the community and according to SANBS for every unit of blood given three lives can be saved, so I just continued giving.”
Les said the only time he did not donate on time was when he had four back operations and two hip replacements.
He said for six months after the surgeries he could not donate blood.
“Besides that, I haven’t missed a chance to donate.”
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Even while posted in present-day Namibia as a member of the army, Les said he would hitchhike to donate blood in Walvis Bay.
He donated his 300th unit of blood 10 years ago.
Over the years through his actions, Les has encouraged family members to donate blood.
He said although his son donated blood, he stopped at 39 units while his daughter donates as often as possible.
“Through conversation, I try to encourage people to donate but many say the process is sore or that it doesn’t interest them.”
As someone who has A+ blood, Les explained that the importance of donating blood is something built into his character.
“No one has any guarantee of living for a certain amount of time but there was one man I respected as he had given at least 98 units.”
Although this man has since passed away, Les hopes that one day when he is in his 90s, he will have donated 400 units of blood.
“As long as I can stay healthy, I can keep on giving blood.”
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Les urged people to donate blood if possible. “It doesn’t harm you and when the needle goes in you feel a small prick. You are there for maybe 20-30 minutes.”
According to the SANBS minimum requirements to donate blood include:
• Being between 16 and 75 years old, for first-time donors.
• Weigh a minimum of 50 kgs and 55kgs for platelets
• Are in good health and lead a low-risk lifestyle
• Consider your blood safe for transfusion.
• You’ve eaten a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood.
• You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (and platelets in the last 14 days.)
• Your pulse is between 60-100 regular beats per minute.
• Have healthy blood pressure.
• Your haemoglobin level is 12.g for females and 13.g for males/dL or above.
Visit the SANBS website for more information.
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