Blood donors who participated in the blood drive at Saheti School collectively donated 20 units of blood.

The 147th blood drive, which is the last one of the year, took place on October 23.

Clinic co-ordinator and volunteer at the Hellenic Radio SA, Maria Dzerefos, said she started the blood drive in 1997.

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She said she creates about 2 000 WhatsApp messages to invite people to participate in donating blood.

She said, “It’s really difficult to get people to come, but there are a few old faithfuls who come and support me, and I really appreciate it.”

Dzerefos said some people are hindered by culture from donating blood, while some are scared of needles.

“But if you think about it, people who need operations, people giving birth and bleeding, cancer victims, might all need blood transfusions,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tricia Davis, who has been donating for more than 15 years, said it’s something very simple and easy to do.

“I think it’s important to donate blood and support the cause because you can help three people.

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“It’s very important for the community to stand together and help those in need because it really doesn’t take much to do it.

“Helping people is what motivates me. It’s like half an hour out of your day every two months, there’s no excuse not to donate.

Minimum requirements to be a blood donor, as shared by the South African National Blood Service (SANBS):
• You are between 16 and 75 years old, for first-time donors.

• You weigh at least 50kg (55kg to donate platelets).
• You are in good health.
• You lead a low-risk lifestyle.
• You consider your blood safe for transfusion.
• You have had a meal less than four hours before donating blood.
• You have not donated whole blood within the last 56 days (or platelets or plasma in the last 14 days).
• Your pulse is between 60-100 beats per minute.
• Your blood pressure is between 100-180 systolic (first number) and between 60-100 diastolic (second number).
• Your haemoglobin level is 12.0 g/dl or above for females and 13.0 g/dl or above for males.

The SANBS stated that blood is essential and we can’t live without it. According to SANBS, one unit of blood can save up to three lives because donated blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets – each of which can be given to a different patient.