Want to be a hero this month?
It takes just thirty minutes to donate life-saving blood - and here's how (and where) to do it this July
Donating a unit of this precious gift of life can save up to three lives of those patients in dire need of blood.
By becoming a regular donor, this ensures that the safety of blood is maintained and makes it possible for the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) to collect sufficient safe blood to meet the demand.
Who needs blood?
Thousands of patients would die daily if there is insufficient quality blood in stock. When one donates blood, they give patients the gift money cannot buy or science cannot create, because one unit of blood can save up to three lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
Here’s a list of just some of the people who need blood transfusion:
Women haemorrhaging owing to pregnancy complication and other gyneacological complications.
Children with severe anaemia.
Accident victims.
Surgical and cancer patients.
What’s it like to actually donate?
Donating blood is a safe and simple procedure that takes about 30 minutes. All needles are new, sterile, used only once and incinerated after use.
A donor will:
Complete a questionnaire containing personal details.
Answer questions relating to their health and social behaviour and lifestyle.
Participate in a one-on-one interview as a follow-up to their answers.
Have their iron (haemoglobin) level checked, blood pressure and pulse rate will be taken.
Be allowed to donate one unit of blood (480ml).
To learn more about how the SANBS answers all of their most frequently asked questions, click here: https://www.sanbs.org.za/index.php/faq
So, Zululanders, it’s up to you to show up at one of the following clinics to become a hero:
Friday 7 July – eSikhawini Plaza from 10am until 5pm.
Tuesday 11 July – Mtubatuba Pick ‘n Pay from 10am until 6pm.
Thursday 13 July – Empangeni Library from 10am until 6pm.
Sunday 16 July – Empangeni Rugby Club from 10am until 3pm.
Monday 17 July and Tuesday 18 July – Unizulu from 9am until 3pm.
Tuesday 18 July – Grantleigh School – 9am until 5pm.
Thursday 20 July – Mondi Richards Bay from 9am until 3.30pm.
Tuesday 25 July – Hillside Aluminium from 9.30am until 4pm.
Wednesday 26 July – Dover Farm School from 8.30am until 1.30pm.
Thursday 27 July – Masibumbane High School from 9.30am until 2.30pm.
Friday 28 July – Richards Bay Secondary School from 9am until 2pm.
Monday 31 July – Richards Bay High School – from 9am until 2pm.
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