A SOCIAL media post, published on a Durban North Facebook group recently, gained traction when a woman, on behalf of her hospitalised friend, asked for advice on how she could get blood donated as it was required for surgery.
Residents answered to the best of their knowledge, sharing advice that the ill woman could call on family to donate which Sifiso Khoza, regional marketing manager for SANBS, confirmed.
However, he advised that this option should not be explored in an emergency as there is a lengthy process involved.
Read also: Blood donations remain low, warns SANBS
“It may take up to 72 hours or longer for the testing, processing and transporting of each unit of designated blood, from the time of donation to blood being available for transfusion, therefore this procedure is not an emergency service,” he said.
He added that SANBS makes every effort to ensure blood availability, but should a family member wish to donate, there are pros and cons.
“Donating for a family member carries pros and cons. The pros are that the patient can decide where the blood they receive comes from and as a result they feel more in control of their blood transfusion. The cons are that transfusions from blood relatives carry a higher risk of Transfusion Associated Graft versus Host (TAGvH) disease,” he said.
This is a rare but potentially fatal complication in which the lymphocytes from transfused blood component attack the recipient’s tissues, especially skin, bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract.
“Although rare, the complication can be fatal if the donor is related. Also, the potential to receive a bone marrow transplant in future is jeopardised. In addition, special handling, labelling and storage of the blood is required and as a result, some additional costs are involved,” he added.
If you would like to donate blood visit the North Durban Donor Centre at 53 Adelaide Tambo Dr, Durban North or Kensington Square, Shop 24.
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