SANBS and Ooskool unite to donate blood
This was the second blood donation clinic to take place at the school this year and even though the target was 107 units, only 99 units were collected.
POLOKWANE – Having read stories about the horror accidents on the N1 claiming 40 lives, emphasis has been placed even more on donating blood.
In the case of an accident, hospitals might need blood to give to victims but what if there isn’t any blood to give?
Every so often the South African National Blood Service hosts blood donation clinics where residents are able to donate blood and one such clinic took place on Monday, 12 November, at Laerskool Pietersburg-Oos (Oosskool).
This was the second blood donation clinic to take place at the school this year and even though the target was 107 units, only 99 units were collected.
Ipeleng Thetela, of SANBS answered some questions about donating blood.
• Who can donate blood? “A person can donate blood if they weigh at least 50kg, are between the ages of 16 and 65, in good health, lead a low risk lifestyle, consider their blood safe for transfusion and had a snack or meal in the four hours prior to a meal.”
• What is risky behaviour? “Risky behaviour includes having sex with someone you don’t know, having sex with multiple partners, having sex with someone who has multiple partners, drug usage or being injected by someone other than your doctor or health worker or having sex with a sex worker or anyone taking money, goods or favours in exchange for sex.”
• What are most blood donations used for? “Most donations are used for cancer patients, obstetric and gynecological cases, premature babies and trauma patients.”
Ipeleng explains that you can donate blood every 56 days. “Committing to regular blood donation will assist in ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply.”
