The SANBS shares why you should roll up your sleeve and donate blood
Gladness Sathekge dishes out advice on the importance of blood donation, the different types, and how you can make a difference in the lives of patients in need.
Blood donation is a selfless act that can make a very important difference in the lives of patients undergoing surgery, receiving treatment for cancer or blood disorders, and those injured in accidents.
If you’re eligible, consider rolling up your sleeve to help ensure a steady supply of blood for those in need. These are the places for you to visit around Joburg North. But before that, Gladness Sathekge from South African National Blood Service (SANBS) talks us through the checklist.
She said there are different types of blood donations which include plasma, platelets, and whole blood. Among these types, whole blood donation is the most common.
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“During this donation, you donate about 500ml of whole blood. The blood is then separated into its components – red cells, plasma and platelets. Plasma donation is a similar process to platelet donation, and takes about 90 minutes. The blood is processed through a cell separating machine that filters out the plasma and returns the red cells and other cellular components to the donor’s system.”
She said platelets play a vital role in blood clotting and prevention of excess blood loss.
“This procedure enables people to donate platelets every month. Plasma can be donated every two weeks where possible. Platelet donation is a simple process that takes about an hour and a half to complete.”
Sathekge admits that donation is one of the most precious ways to connect with the community and to give back to humanity. She said it’s the one type of giving that holds more value than anything else for those who desperately await lifesaving blood.
“One must develop a habit of donating blood for SANBS to collect sufficient blood that will ensure that in cases of emergency quality blood is always available.
“Every unit of blood collected goes through the same stringent testing. So, it does not matter if it’s your first donation or if you are a regular donor, your blood still gets tested every time after you’ve donated.”
She said donors can donate every 56 days.
This is the donation criteria:
- Be over the age of 16 to 75
- Weight 50kgs and above
- Lead a safe sexual lifestyle
- Consider your blood safe
- Eat a meal or snack before donating
- Be in general good health
What is the significance of my blood group?
All donors belong to one of four blood groups: A, B, AB or O. You are also classified as either Rh positive or Rh negative. There are therefore eight different main blood groups. Not all blood groups are compatible with each other and the success of modern transfusion medicine depends on classifying and matching donors and patients correctly. Group O blood is known as the universal blood type, as it can be given to patients of any blood group.
What happens to my blood after donation?
Less than 5% of blood is used as whole blood (the way you donated it). By separating the other 95% into its components; red blood cells, platelets and plasma, the unit you donated can save up to three lives. Which is wonderful considering the whole process takes only about 30 minutes. Your platelets can be used for a cancer patient, plasma to replace clotting factors in a trauma patient and your red blood cells for patients who needed surgery or suffered complications during childbirth.
Please call 011 761 9000 to find your nearest location or to ask any questions.
Fourways has a multi-disciplinary donor centre based at 11 Sunset Avenue in Sandton which is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and over the weekend from 08:00 to 14:00.
Other SANBS walk-in centres:
- Colony Shopping Centre, 349 Jan Smuts Avenue
- Craighall Linksfield Donor Centre, 110 Linksfield Road, Linksfield
- Beacon Road Multi-Disciplinary Donor Centre, 31 Beacon Road, Roodepoort
- Greenstone Donor Centre, Cnr Modderfontein Road and Van Riebeeck Avenue, Modderfontein
- Northgate Donor Centre, Shop No 609, Corner Olievenhout and Northumberland avenues.
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