POLOKWANE – The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is once again urging residents to do their part by donating blood.
Besides their mobile clinics, donor centres in Polokwane, Mokopane and Louis Trichardt are also open during the week.
Donating plasma is also an option at the Polokwane Donor Centre. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood in which red cells, white cells and platelets are suspended and which contains antibodies, clotting factors and proteins such as albumin and fibrinogen.
Bethuel Mokonyane, Polokwane Collection Manager, explains that each donor donates a bit of plasma every time they donate blood. “You can donate just plasma as well. This is done through a process called plasmapheresis or source plasma donation where plasma is separated and collected while the red cells, white cells and platelets are returned to your body.”
Everyone who meets the donation criteria can donate plasma, but the SANBS specifically needs blood group’s A and AB donors between the ages of 18 to 65 to consider donating plasma. Plasma can be donated every two weeks to a maximum of 24 times a year.
Should you wish to donate, you can do so at the following venues.
| Date | Venue | Time | |
| 20 July | Rhodes Food Group (Pty) Ltd | 11:00 – 16:00 | |
| 21 July | Lephalale Mall | 09:00 – 14:00 | |
| 21 July | Paledi Mall | 10:00 – 17:00 | |
| 22 July | Limpopo Dairy | 09:00 – 12:00 | |
| 22 July | Mankweng Plaza | 10:00 – 17:00 | |
| 22 July | Lebowakgomo Plaza | 10:00 – 17:00 | |
| 23 July | Seshego Circle | 10:00 – 17:00 | |
| 24 July | Game Centre | 10:00 – 17:00 | |
| 24 July | Seshego Circle | 10:00 – 17:00 |
