West residents ‘jailed for blood’
Local activist and regular blood donor Johan Cloete has donated blood about 240 times so far.
Residents in the west did “jailtime” at the Quagga Centre last weekend for a good cause.
Local activist and regular blood donor Johan Cloete said the initiative was an attempt to motivate people to donate blood.
“It was a huge success,” he said.
He thanked everyone who made the day a success.
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Cloete has been a regular blood donor since he was 17-year-old, having donated about 240 times so far.
“I always used to donate blood, but now I donate platelets.
He said a cell separator draws his blood, retains platelets and returns the other components to his system.
“This procedure enables people to donate platelets every month,” he said.
“Platelet donation is a simple process that takes about an hour and a half to complete.”
He said donating blood on a regular basis also had other benefits.
“As a regular donor, you start feeling like a family and it is just a good feeling to know that you are doing something to help someone else,” he said.
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“Even though it is by doing something as small as donating blood.”
He said donating blood can save a life.
“I cannot do much, but by regularly donating blood, I feel that I am contributing to society,” he said.
Cloete said when it comes to donating blood, people should take hands and stand together.
“There is a huge shortage to blood in South Africa and there is a need for it daily,” he said.
Cloete was recently nominated to the Pretoria Central Northern Zone committee.
“People who donate blood regularly are chosen to be a part of the committee,” he said.
“Our main objective is to motivate others to donate blood.”
According to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), they currently have five days’ worth of blood stock left.
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Their platelet stock was at 0.4 days.
Cloete encouraged others to donate.
“Please, I urge others to head for their nearest blood bank to donate blood,” he said.
He said less than 1% 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 donors to donate regularly. Donors can give blood as often as every eight weeks,” he said.
“Every unit of blood can save a minimum of three lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.”
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