Start the year off on a good note with the SANBS

POLOKWANE – The SANBS invites all individuals who meet the requirements to donate blood to make a difference this year.

If you cannot donate blood, donate plasma.

This can be done every 14 days and takes about 90 minutes.

Platelets can also be donated on a monthly basis and takes between an hour and an hour and a half to complete.

Requirements to donate blood:

• Must be between the ages of 16 and 75 years old.

• A minimum weight of 50 kgs (and platelets a minimum of 55 kgs)

• Good health.

• Low risk lifestyle.

• Safe for transfusion blood.

• Eat a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood.

• Pulse between 60-100 regular beats per minute.

• Blood pressure 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).

• Haemoglobin level is 12.g for woman and 13.g for men/dL or above.

Different blood types:

• A+

• A-

• B+

• B-

• AB+

• AB-

• O+

• O-

Tips:

• Increase your fluid intake for four to six hours after donation.

• Avoid physical exercise or heavy lifting with the arm used for donating for two hours.

• Do not smoke for at least half an hour after donation.