HEAD to Galleria Mall on Friday, 13 November, from 9am to 4pm to donate blood at a South African National Blood Service (SANBS) clinic.
The venue is entrance 6, opposite African Bank and the target is 25 donors.
Another clinic will be held at the mall at the same venue on Wednesday, 25 November.
“The SANBS provides an essential service which is rated among the best in the world, in the provision of blood and blood products, research and training provided. When donating blood, you are giving other people a lifetime of opportunities,” said PRO Mohamed Goolam.
Who needs donated blood?
Studies show that eight out of every 10 people will need donated blood at some point in their life.
Donated blood is used in the following medical procedures: General medical cases such as cancer, HIV, anaemia treatments and more – 27%; childbirth and gynaecological cases – 26%; scheduled operations – 21%; paediatric cases – 10%; orthopaedic cases – 6%; research – 6% and trauma – 4%.
Donated blood saves many lives daily, yet only 1% of the 50-million population donate blood.
To become a blood donor you must be between the ages of 16 and 65-years-old; weigh more than 50kg; lead a sexually safe lifestyle; be healthy on the day of donation and have eaten a good meal before donating.
The entire blood donation process takes about 30 minutes.
* You will be given a pamphlet containing information on safe blood transfusion and risk behaviour to read.
* You will complete a donor questionnaire to determine if it’s safe for you to donate blood.
* You will sit with friendly, registered nurses to discuss your questionnaire in more detail.
* An iron level and blood pressure test is taken.
* After the questionnaire and test approval, the blood transfusion begins. This process takes only 15 minutes.
