Westville blood donor centre officially opens
The public can make use of this new fully operational donor centre to donate blood, plasma and platelets.
THE South African National Blood Services (SANBS) Specialised collections unit situated at Westwood Mall Shopping Centre hosted an official launch on Saturday, February 12.
Regular donors came out to donate blood, plasma and platelets.
ALSO READ: Become a platelet or plasma donor
SANBS donor practitioner, Neelashan Govender appealed to the public to make use of this new fully operational donor centre to donate blood, plasma and platelets.
“Blood is what keeps us alive. By becoming a blood donor, you are giving the gift of life. Just one unit of whole blood is processed into packed red cells, plasma and platelets which are infused into patients requiring these specific products,” explained Govender.
Platelets are small colourless cell fragments circulating in the blood. When a blood vessel is injured, platelets collect at the site and form a plug to stop bleeding.
Govender informed the public that plasma makes up 55% of your total blood volume which contains antibodies, clotting factors and proteins.
ALSO READ: Westville resident makes 400th donation
“Platelets and plasma donation can be done every two weeks and whole blood donation every 56 days. The body recovers those cells very quickly,” he said.
The Westwood Mall donor clinic situated on the lower level is open on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the clinic is open from 09:00 to 15:00.Contact 031 719 6841.
