Northmead cancer patient explains the value of 12 minutes

She emphasised that one donation can save up to three lives and it only takes about 12 minutes to complete a donation.

Snyman has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia for the second time in four years last month.

She was diagnosed the first time in July 2014.

“The worst part is the waiting. Sometimes, when your platelet count is low, you’ll urgently need a transfusion but you have to wait for days. Some people have to wait for over a week,” said Snyman.

She explained that if the platelet count in the body is low, a small cut can lead to a person bleeding to death as platelets are cell fragments in blood that clogs together to stop excessive bleeding.

She went on to say: “People often don’t understand the extent of their gift when they donate blood; they are literally saving three people’s lives.”

Snyman has had 11 blood transfusions and 13 platelet transfusions, which are extracted from blood.

She cannot donate blood again because of her blood disease, but she said she felt passionate about it even before her initial diagnosis.

Snyman is currently in the Pretoria East Hospital after undergoing a total of 13 chemotherapy sessions in five days.

She is recovering in complete isolation, but she said she finds odd ways to keep herself busy.

She also said she does not get sick from chemotherapy and called herself “one of the lucky ones”.

“At the moment, I am making cards. I don’t know what for yet but I saw nice things on Pinterest and decided I want to make it,” she said.

She also enjoys scrapbooking and watching series to pass time.

“You have to [keep your spirits up]. Sitting in a dark corner will not help anyone,” she said.

Snyman is a daycare worker and attributes her high spirits “to her kids”.

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