NEWCASTLE KZN: SANBS urges donors to create ‘living heritage’ this September

As South Africans look forward to the reprieve offered by warmer spring weather, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has urged blood donors to celebrate something all residents have in common – blood.

SANBS has confirmed this year’s Heritage Month theme as ‘living heritage’. Despite September being a time to celebrate cultural differences and what makes people unique, the blood service believes this is also a time to join a family of donors dedicated to a singular goal of saving lives.

“Blood donation is a great way to give someone else more time to enjoy more celebratory days and moments with their friends and families. We urge you to spare 30 minutes of your time to make a life-saving difference this Heritage Day,” said Dr Karin van den Berg, SANBS’s Medical Director.

Dr van den Berg said expressing one’s heritage should go beyond taking pride in cultural roots, to also embrace the ‘complex and multi-faceted community which is South Africa’.

She called on residents to considering a unique celebration of Heritage Day this year, by making time for an act of kindness which will help SANBS sustain the nation’s blood supply.

“Together, we can create a living heritage by committing to donating blood regularly. With one blood donation, you can save up to three lives,” she concluded.

You can donate blood if:

• You are between the ages of 16 and 75 years old (for first-time donors)
• You weigh a minimum of 50 kilograms (a minimum of 55kg for platelet donors)
• You are in good health
• You lead a low risk lifestyle
• 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 (14 days for platelet donors)
• Your pulse is between 50-100 regular beats per minute.

SANBS will also screen you beforehand to determine your haemoglobin levels and blood pressure.

Visit the Newcastle Donor Centre at the Newcastle Mall (108 Allen Street) from Monday to Saturday, and help save lives. For more information, call 034 326 1127 or email customerservice@sanbs.org.za

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Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za

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