In the month of June, which is National Blood Donor Month, we celebrate the millions of people worldwide who give their blood voluntarily to help those in need.
By donating just one unit of blood, which is 480ml, you can help save up to three lives. Donors do, however, need to meet certain requirements. They must be between the ages of 16 and 65, be a minimum weight of 50kg, be in good health and live a sexually safe lifestyle.
ER24 paramedics see first-hand the effect severe blood loss has on patients in both trauma and medical-related cases. Severe blood loss can lead to a number of complications and result in death.
“When paramedics arrive on a scene, they assess and conduct a primary overview of the patient. If the patient has any signs of severe bleeding, paramedics try to stop or limit the bleeding. The patient is treated and transported to hospital for further medical care,” said Derrick Banks, ER24 Hillcrest Branch Manager.
He added that blood carries oxygen and other essential substances to organs and tissues. Hypovolemic shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a person loses more than 20 per cent of their blood or fluid supply. This makes it impossible for the heart to pump sufficient blood to the body and as a result, a patient risks organ failure or death.
Banks himself is a blood donor. He recently donated his 50th unit of blood. “I come from a family of blood donors. I started donating blood when I was 16 and in high school. At the time, I did not even think I was going to be medic but things have a funny way of turning out. I feel it’s very important for people to donate blood. Speaking from experience, my daughter was two days old when she had to undergo surgery and needed blood during the operation. I know giving blood is not for everybody but taking not even 30 minutes out of your day could help those in need,” said Derrick.
