Locals donate blood to help save lives
Different residents of Kempton Park took time out to donate blood in order to give those in need a second chance.
South African National Blood Service held a blood donation outreach at Lenmed Zamokuhle Private Hospital, in Thembisa, on June 21.
Donor relations practitioner Gladness Sathekge said that it is critically important that the community adopts the culture of donating blood because blood cannot be recreated scientifically.
“We need a person possessing a healthy lifestyle, guided by SANBS, to give to the next person who might be critical and their only chance of survival is your unit of blood,” said Sathekge.
Sethekge added that SANBS blood stocks sit at two point nine days nationally which is extremely lower than the five-point zero days stock required in all blood groups to ensure sustainable blood availability for patients in need
She said that having a rare blood type means only a few percent of the population has that particular blood group and the most rare blood is AB.
“The most common being type O, known as the universal blood type, as it can be given to patients of any blood group,” said Sethekge.
ALSO READ: SANBS appeals to locals for urgent blood donations as supply is severely low
SANBS has a strict policy which guides who can donate which includes being 16 years and older, weigh 50kg plus, lead a healthy lifestyle and should have eaten in the last four hours, as well as committing to donating blood on a regular basis
Sethekge explained that each blood drive target is determined by the number of employees or guests in an institution or shopping centre
“Generally, SANBS aims to collect three point five units per day to ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply in the health care system. Remember one unit can save three lives.”
She told Thembisan that while they continue to commemorate World Blood Donor Month, SANBS urges the public to visit their donor centres and be a hero to someone’s life by giving a unit of blood which ultimately keeps someone alive in hospital.
In addition, Sethekge said that with one percentage of South Africans actively donating blood, and SANBS urges corporates, schools and churches to invite SANBS for blood drives which are run by the professional mobile units staff.
ALSO READ: Locals mark World Blood Donor Day
One of blood donors and phlebotomy technician Kenneth Sebatjane said that he felt great that he was able to donate blood and contribute in saving lives.
“It actually nice because it’s for the good cause as I’m not just doing this for me and after donating blood, I felt like I have just saved someone’s life,” he said.
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