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Jun 28
Once a Blood Donor, Always a Lifesaver

By Siyabonga Gema (Communications Officer) and Mandisa Dlamini (Communications Intern)

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Blood Donation and its Importance

Blood is essential for a person to stay alive. Blood donation is an act of donating healthy blood to people in need. Our blood carries oxygen from the lungs to all the parts of our bodies, which is why many people die from excessive bleeding during, for example, road accidents. If the patient isn't given the proper amount of blood, they might die. A recent study by the National Blood Foundation found that when more than 5 000 people, who were donating blood frequently at the time, were asked why it is that they donate blood, nearly 75% of them responded that they give blood to help others.

The World Health Organization (WHO) organises a campaign where people who are between 17 and 66 years of age, and weigh more than 50 kilograms, are invited to donate blood. Blood is required for the treatment of accidental injuries, burns, and diseases like Haemorrhagic, Anaemia, Leukaemias, Thalassemias and Haemolytic ailments. Blood transfusions are required in cases of accidental injuries where excessive amounts of blood are lost.

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HST holds blood donation drives regularly at its offices to support the SANBS in keeping blood banks adequately stocked.


It's more than just blood

In 2015, it was estimated that a blood transfusion took place every 48 seconds in South Africa; a minimum of 810 000 units of blood were required annually to meet the South African demand. The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) recently made a call for donations as blood stocks are decreasing, stating that it needs to collect 3 500 units of blood per day. Initiatives to educate the public on blood donations have also been amplified in June; the month when World Blood Donor Day (14 June) is celebrated. The recent devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic had already crippled the country's efforts of collecting blood. The high demand for blood calls on healthy donors who belong to all blood groups to continue donating blood to ensure that the blood stock levels remain adequate in the country.

Benefits of Blood Donation

Getting your blood drawn can reveal health problems that you didn't know about since various tests will be conducted before you donate blood. Blood donation helps maintain iron levels in the body, giving you a healthier liver. The blood that is donated is used to treat patients with a variety of medical conditions such as blood disorders, cancer and anaemia or to help replace the blood lost during surgery.

Minimum Requirements to be a Blood Donor

  • You are between the ages of 16 and 75, for first-time donors.
  • You weigh a minimum of 50 kg (and a minimum of 55 kg to donate platelets).
  • 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 60-100 regular beats per minute.
  • Your haemoglobin level is 12.g for females and 13.g for males/dL or above.

Conditions That Disqualify People from Donating Blood

Some questions to consider include:

  • How is their overall health?
  • Do they have any existing health conditions, such as hepatitis or HIV?
  • Do they meet the age and weight requirements?
  • Have they recently travelled or had a tattoo?
  • Do they use recreational drugs, especially intravenously?
  • If they are donating platelets, have they taken aspirin within the last 48 hours?
  • If they have diabetes, do they manage it with medication?

Please call the toll free number 0800 119 031 or send an email to customerservice@sanbs.org.za if you have any queries about blood donation.


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