Donate blood and save a life on World Blood Donor Day

Did you know that by donating blood you can save a minimum of three lives?

People living with life-threatening conditions have joined the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in encouraging South Africans to become regular blood donors on World Blood Donor Day on Thursday, June 14.

Every year, World Blood Donor Day highlights the need to maintain a stable supply of healthy, safe blood and blood products, while encouraging people to become regular donors.

It is also an opportunity to thank the volunteers whose donations of blood save and enhance lives.

“The best gift you can give anyone is the gift of life. We know that South Africans have huge hearts and we call on them to fully embrace the spirit of this year’s World Blood Donor Day theme, ‘Safe blood for all’,” said SANBS’s Chief Marketing Officer Silungile Mlambo.

“Out of South Africa’s population of 56-million people, only about 1% donate blood regularly.

“This blood is used by every person living in this country who needs a transfusion during an operation or for emergencies during childbirth.”

While the SANBS applauds its regular donors, more volunteers are needed to ensure the target of 3 500 units per day is maintained.

“In particular, this Youth Month we are appealing to young, healthy South Africans to make donating blood a lifestyle choice.”

South Africans can visit their nearest blood donor centre on June 14, while corporates, schools, universities and community organisations can do their bit by arranging blood drives.

The Ballito blood clinic also runs on the second Tuesday of every month at the Ballito library from 10am – 6pm. The next one will be on Tuesday, July 9.

This is where your blood goes

There is a common misconception that most of the blood donated in South Africa goes to accident victims.

This is not the case.

Here is a rough breakdown from the SANBS of where the blood it collects is used:

• 28% is used to treat cancer and aplastic anaemia
• 27% is used during childbirth
• 21% is used for scheduled surgery
• 10% is used for paediatric care
• 6% goes to laboratories
• 6% is used for orthopaedic care
• 4% is used for accident or trauma victims

Minimum Requirements to be a Blood Donor

• You are between the ages of 16 and 75 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.

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