Join #TinyTheMighty blood drive in Dainfern

When her son, Kieran, was diagnosed with AML leukaemia at eight months in 2018, Natalie Beveridge started a blood drive campaign with the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) named #TinyTheMighty.

Even after Kieran’s passing, Natalie continued to encourage people to donate blood and assist in saving lives. “Tragically he survived only six weeks post diagnosis, however, we were blessed with more time due to his daily blood and platelet transfusions made possible by the wonderful South African public who are regular blood donors,” she said.

The SANBS needs 3 000 units per day to help critically ill patients survive. This ensures a safe and sufficient blood supply in the healthcare system. “Be the change and turn your good intentions into action. Give someone the gift of life today and be a real-life superhero!”

Beveridge encouraged the public to join her on 1 and 2 February at Dainfern Golf and Country Estate from 9am to 3pm. “Make a family outing of it, bring the kids, have lunch and save up to three lives.”

Here’s a list of minimum requirements provided by the SANBS to be a blood donor:

• You must be between 16 and 65 years old, for first-time donors.
• You must weigh a minimum of 50 kgs (and platelets a minimum of 55 kgs)
• You must be in good health.
• You must lead a low-risk lifestyle.
• You have not had a tattoo or microblading within the past six months
• You have not had surgery within the last six months
• You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• You haven’t had flu or been on antibiotics or antivirals within the past two weeks
• 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 and 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.

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