February the month of love and sharing

Issued by the SANBS Head of Marketing in the province, Charles Maharaj.

February is the exciting month of love with Valentine’s Day coming up. All around us is advertising of what you can do to show your how much you love and appreciate that special one in your life.

“It can also be a time to show your love to those you may never meet by donating blood and making a difference to the lives of others,” said Vanessa Raju, communications manager from SANBS.

January blood stock levels seemed to have dropped to less than one day in some provinces, with the national average of two days for most of the month. Donors are urgently needed to join the blood donation community and start donating a minimum of four times a year.

February is also the month dedicated to healthy lifestyle awareness.

Reports show that in the past five years, there has been a steady increase in the number of people diagnosed with heart disease, cancer and various other health-related illnesses.

Lifestyle diseases are triggered by unhealthy lifestyle choices like:

* Smoking

* Being overweight

* Indulging in an unhealthy diet comprising fatty and fried foods and limited fruits and vegetables

* Limited physical activity

* High stress levels

SANBS supports Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month and encourages South Africans to start paying attention to problem areas in their health, go for regular medical check-ups and control their stress levels.

“Stress has a significant impact on lifestyle illnesses. People need to make time for regular exercise, spend time doing things they enjoy, learn some relaxation techniques and just take some time to relax,” said Ms Raju.

Although the ‘silent killers’ can usually be prevented, successful treatment when diagnosed is a matter of life and death. The treatment of most of these diseases requires blood transfusions. The increase in affected patients means an increased demand for blood donations.

People who meet the minimum requirements are urged to become regular blood donors.

The minumun requirements to become a blood donor are:

A person must be 16 and 65 years old.

Live a sexually safe lifestyle.

Weigh over 50 kgs.

Consider your blood safe for transfusion.

Be Healthy.

You can’t donate blood right now if you:

Have low blood pressure.

Have high blood pressure.

Have low haemoglobin (iron).

Are pregnant.

Have had surgery recently.

Are taking certain medications.

Your blood is not safe if you are:

HIV or AIDS positive.

Had sex with, or worked as, a commercial sex worker in the past six months.

Have been treated for a sexually transmitted disease in the past twelve months.

Had more than one sexual partner in the past 6 months.

Had casual sex or sex with someone whose sexual background is unknown.

Ever injected with drugs or substances not prescribed by a doctor.