Will you be the next Blood Hero of the week?
B and AB supplies are currently at the lowest.
Your photo might be placed in the newspaper and posted on the Ridge Times’ website if you donate blood.
Blood supplies are critically low and blood services in and around Secunda urgently need people to donate blood.
B and AB supplies are currently at the lowest.
All donors belong to one of four blood groups, namely 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.
The Ridge Times and Echo in accordance with the South African National Blood Service and all the local blood service branches challenge new and regular donators.
All you have to do is to go and donate blood at your nearest branch.
Take a photo with the staff member that assisted you while you are donating.
Send it to the Ridge Times Facebook inbox with the names and surnames of everyone in the photo as well as the date that you donated.
Also include your blood group and the reason why you have started donating or why you donate regularly.
Visit our website and Facebook page to see who the next Blood Hero of the week is.
Remember to tell your friends and family.
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 kg (and platelets a minimum of 55 kg)
– 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.
You can call the different branches at:
Secunda branch: 017 631 6601, Bethal branch: 017 647 5598, Sasol: 017 610 4658 and for general inquiries: 0800 119 031.
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donate. They both are O negative blood group. With them is Sr Ansie Steenkamp.
