Take him up on a bloody challenge

It’s not a race down the road in a fast car, but a race to see who can donate a unit of blood in the shortest time.

Former Benoni High School pupil Keegan Johnston has already donated 16 units of blood since he started donating at the age of 16.

He is encouraging you to give of the precious fluid to help save lives, in a time when the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) experiences a shortage.

“Now that winter is upon us, the South African National Blood Service anticipates that blood stocks will fall below the desired level required for meeting daily demand,” said the service in a press release.

“To ensure that a sufficient supply of blood remains available for recipients affected by different medical conditions, SANBS must collect 3 000 units of blood every day.”

Each unit of blood could save three lives.

The blood service said the cold weather, along with the school breaks, affect its ability to collect the required units per day.

According to the SANBS, national figures show that teenagers aged between 16 to 19 constitute 21 per cent of the total active donor base, which is currently over 430 000.

Johnston donated his first unit of blood at school, mostly out of curiosity.

“I just wanted to see how it felt for blood to basically fall out of your body,” he said.

He said he would race his father, Russell, to see who would finish first.

“It would take him five minutes to donate,” said Johnston.

“The needle would be in and the required amount of blood would be out within five minutes, and I always wanted to race against him.

“Only now have I realised every pint I give saves three lives, and it takes me only six minutes.

“That is the reason I donate blood.”

You can donate blood at the Northmead Donor Centre, at 42 14th Avenue.

In order to become a blood donor you must:

• Weigh at least 50 kg;

• Be between the ages of 16 to 65;

• Lead a safe sexual lifestyle;

• Be in general good health;

• Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient.