30 minutes is all it takes to ‘save a life’

POLOKWANE – The mechanical engineering student at Zurel Bros SA Private FET College, says he has been accompanying his mother, Sonja, since his primary school days when she went to donate blood as she is a regular donor who has donated blood more than 80 times so far.
“The first time I donated blood was on my 16th birthday in December 2012 as my birthday gift to myself because I was giving someone out there a gift and a chance to live. During the blood donation procedure a screening questionnaire is done whereby all questions must be answered as honestly as possible, failure to do so may put someone’s life in jeopardy. The assistant then checks my iron (HB) levels as well as my blood pressure to ensure my health is up to standard and also double checks specific questions to confirm I meet the requirements to donate. I was then directed to a donor bed and the donor assistant used a special blood draw kit which ensures donors have the peace of mind that new needles are used every time they donate. You then donate 480 ml of blood which can potentially save three people’s lives,” he explains.
When you donate blood it takes around 30 minutes and you can enjoy a biscuit snack and a refreshing cold drink either during or after you donate. In order to donate blood, you have to be 16 years or older, weigh at least 50 kg and live a safe lifestyle. Your blood iron levels also have to be adequate before you can donate.
Bernie shared some fact and myths about donating blood:
• Donating blood can and will save a life and it takes about 30 minutes of your time. People have no excuses not to donate blood as needles that are used are always new for each blood withdrawal.
• B negative is one of the rarest blood types, second to AB negative. Only about 1,5% of the population has this blood type. (Bernie’s blood type is also B negative).
• O negative blood is a universal donor type as their blood can be given to all other blood types.
• One donation can save up to three lives.
• Blood has four parts: plasma for energy, red blood cells that carry oxygen, white blood cells as body soldiers that clean our blood and fight germ, and platelets which help with blood clotting.
• Our body replenishes blood within 24 hours so it is not like we are losing but rather giving a lifesaving gift to others.
• Medications influence blood donations so always inform the assistants if you are on specific medication to ensure it is not on the list that one cannot donate while taking.
• Eat a proper meal at least four hours before donating which will ensure no fainting and increase fluid intake after donating to help replenish the blood.
• Needles don’t hurt and even when one is scared, just don’t think about it, then you won’t even feel it.
“I donate every 56 days and so far I have donated about 23 times. I always go to donate blood as soon as possible after receiving a reminder SMS from the South African National Blood Service (SANBS),” he said with pride.
The SANBS values safety and always ensures donated blood is tested, even from regular donors, to ensure the blood is safe for those in dire need of this lifesaving gift.
reporter29@nmgroup.co.za