SANBS needs 3 000 units of blood daily
‘Think about the lives waiting to be lived’ - SANBS urges Kemptonians to donate blood
Kemptonians en route to holiday destinations mustn’t forget to make blood donation a part of their trip. According to Trude Gaarekoe, donor relations practitioner for the Kempton Park donor centre of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), the festive season is a critical time for blood donation.
“More road accidents tend to happen in the festive season and we need more blood,” Gaarekoe told Express.
To make matters worse, schools and colleges, where the SANBS gets 30 per cent of its blood donations, are closed. Regular donors may also be on holiday.
“The SANBS aims to collect at least 3 000 units of blood daily,” Gaarekoe explained. One unit consists of 480ml of blood, therefore 1 440 litres of blood is needed on a daily basis.
The myth that donors won’t have enough blood themselves is one of the reasons why many may opt not to donate, Gaarekoe said. “A person has four to six litres of blood and we only take 480ml. This regenerates within 24 hours.”
A fear of needles also shouldn’t keep people from donating. “The little pain is temporary and worth it because you can save up to three lives.”
All blood types are encouraged to donate, but especially those with the blood type O- or O+, as this can be given to the majority of blood groups.
Donors must weigh 50kg or more, be between the ages of 16 and 65, lead a healthy sexual lifestyle and eat three to four hours prior to donating blood.
“Think about all the lives waiting to be lived,” Gaarekoe encouraged. “Think about giving someone a second chance at living.”
The Kempton Park SANBS donor centre at 20 Central Avenue is open from Mondays to Fridays between 10am and 6pm, and on Saturdays from 9am until 2pm.
