Urgent call for blood donations in Ballito

The fatal accident on Saturday that left one man dead and an Umhlali Prep mother fighting for her life has highlighted the dire need for blood donations in KZN.

Kerry Hardy (36) of Salt Rock was in urgent need of O-negative blood, one of the rarest – thankfully she received the life giving donations.

But despite the community spreading the word about the shortage, South African National Blood Service (SANBS) currently only have enough blood in stock for 2,8 days.

According to SANBS, less than one per cent of South Africans are active blood donors.

A unit of blood only lasts 42 days after donation and, for this reason, it is important for blood donors to donate regularly.

Donors can give blood as often as every eight weeks.

Make sure to get to the Ballito Library before 6pm today (Tuesday, September 11) to do your bit and donate blood for SANBS.

You can also visit the SANBS branches in Durban North and Pinetown.

Directions to the various SANBS branches and their operating hours can be found HERE.

Minimum Requirements to be a Blood Donor:

• You are between the ages of 16 and 65 years old, for first time donors.
• You weigh a minimum of 50 kgs (and platelets a minimum of 55 kgs)
• You are in good health.
• You lead a low risk lifestyle.
• You consider your blood safe for transfusion.
• You have had a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood.
• You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (and platelets in the last 14 days.)
• Your pulse is between 50-100 regular beats per minute.
• Your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) (180/100mmHg) and above 100 systolic (first number) and above 60 diastolic  (second number) (100/60mmHg).
• Your haemoglobin level is 12.5 g/dL or above.