It is the lubrication that keeps the heart pumping and the neurons firing. The red gold that flows through us is a precious gift and one made extra special when it is donated.
Helderkruin resident Lukas Barnard has reached a unique milestone by sitting down for his 500th blood donation on 30 November. Lukas has been extending his arm and opening his veins for the last 50 years. Now 70 years old, he visits the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) biweekly for his humanitarian ritual. Inspired by a friend suffering with cancer, Lukas is the first donor at the SANBS to reach the inspirational figure.
SANBS Westgate rolled out the red carpet for the occasion, gifting Lukas with champagne, snacks and a custom-decorated cake. “There are those who are alive today because of him,” cheered Clinic Supervisor, Dawn Matsetela. Getting the needle has become second nature for Lukas who nonchalantly takes his place in the comfortable leather couches, saying, “I would rather be on the giving side than the receiving side”.
The most important component in the blood donation procedure is the extraction of platelets, of which the core function is to assist with clotting and prevent heavy bleeding. Through the marvels of technology, an automated blood collection system is able to extract the blood, separate the platelets and red blood cells, then pump the blood back into the donor.
Platelets are vital for cancer treatments and they have a lifespan of just five days, meaning they are used as soon as they possibly can. There is a never-ending demand for blood and Dawn urges everyone to make their way to their nearest SANBS, saying, “Give something to someone who really needs it. Help give this gift of life and help those who are most vulnerable. Rescue those lying in hospital beds reliant on this blood.”
Stats
– SANBS has a platelet donation target of 640 per year
– Total platelet donation for 2020 sits at 420
– Platelet donation takes roughly 70–90 minutes
– Donors must be over 18 years old and weigh over 60kg
– SANBS Westgate do roughly 800 standard blood donations per year
– Blood types A and AB most needed
– Blood type O is the most common
