Consider becoming a platelet donor

THE South African National Blood Services Specialised Collections Unit will be hosting a fun day on Saturday, 12 August at the SANBS, (10 Eden Road, Pinetown). An exciting day is planned with entertainment for the children. The objective of the event is to encourage people to consider becoming a platelet donor.

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.

ALSO READ: SANBS maintains its safety record

Patients who require platelet transfusions are patients with leukemia and other cancers undergoing chemo or radiation therapy, bone marrow or organ transplant, major surgery, major trauma and aplastic anemia.

To become a platelet donor a person must be healthy, weigh 55 kg or more, be between the ages of 16 – 65 years and consider your blood safe to give to a patient.

ALSO READ: SANBS honours humble hero

Donors are encouraged to become part of the programme. By signing up as a platelet donor you are giving patients a second chance at life. The event will start at 8am to 2pm.

There will be jumping castles, candy floss and popcorn for children. For more information, contact the SANBS Specialised Collections Unit on 031 719 6841.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts