Donate blood this June

June is National Blood Donor Month and the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is always in need of volunteers to donate blood.

Stocks need to be replenished regularly as blood does not have a very long shelf life. Red blood cells can be stored at 60 degree Celsius for up to 42 days for transfusion to most adult patients.

The reason for this is because the micro capillaries in stored blood slowly start to lose their oxygen carrying capacity. The timeline is far more drastic for babies as only blood less than five days old may be used for transfusion to new-born infants, or, in exceptional cases, to babies still in the womb.

You are allowed to donate blood every 56 days.

It is especially important that those with group O blood donate as their type of blood can be used for all blood types.

This is important in an emergency when there is less time to determine the patient’s blood group.

There are a few minimum requirements to become a blood donor:

– You have to weigh at least 50kg.

– You have to be older than 16.

– If you are older than 65 you can still donate blood as long as you have a doctor’s letter saying that you are in good health.

– You have to be in good health, not feeling sick, or suffering from an infection.

– You should be leading a sexually healthy lifestyle.

– You should consider your own blood safe for transfusion to another person.

Even though your blood will be screened for blood-borne diseases, do not donate blood in order to be screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV, as this puts the lives and well being of transfusion patients at risk.

If you meet the minimum requirements for donating blood you should eat a balanced meal four hours before you donate blood. Within 24 hours of donating, your body will have replaced all of the blood that you donated and you will be able to exercise as normal.

Donate blood at Netcare Alberlito’s blood drive on Wednesday, June 17 from 9am to 3pm.