Donating blood: The when’s, why’s and how’s of being a life saving blood buddy

THE blood stock levels at present have been labelled ‘critical’ by SANBS (SA National Blood Services) staff, who are calling for donations at the Richards Bay branch – but less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors.

What are the factors that may be preventing thousands of residents from donating blood – and saving a life?

To reassure potential donors, we look at the donation process, do a walk-through of the Richards Bay donor centre, meet the friendly nursing staff there and answer the questions asked most frequently by those who are unsure whether or not to give the life-saving gift of their blood.

Constant demand

A unit of blood only lasts 42 days after donation and, for this reason, it is important for blood donors to donate regularly.

Donors can give blood as often as every eight weeks and every unit of blood can save up to three lives, as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.

SANBS aims to collect 3000 units of blood per day to ensure a safe and sufficient supply in the health care system.

Who needs blood?

• Women haemorrhaging due to pregnancy and birth complications

• Premature babies

• Children with severe anaemia

• Accident trauma patients

• Surgical and cancer patients.

• Transfusions are given to

• Patients with cancer or leukaemia

Am I eligible?

Generally you can donate if you are healthy, and live a low risk lifestyle.

‘Healthy’ means that you feel well, are not having unprotected sex or injecting yourself with drugs.

Frequently asked questions

How safe is it to donate blood?

As a donor, you have to complete a Self Exclusion Questionnaire, with questions on your health and lifestyle.

The questions are asked to ensure that it is safe for you to donate blood and that your blood is safe for a patient to receive.

A finger prick test will also be done to check your iron levels.

Your blood pressure will also be checked, to ensure you are fit to donate.

Does it hurt?

Besides a small initial prick, you should not feel any discomfort or pain.

How long is the process?

The blood donation process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.You are requested to remain lying down for a few minutes once you have donated.

Can you get AIDS from donating blood?

No, absolutely not.

All needles and finger-prick lancets are sterile and used once only.

After use, each lancet and needle is placed in a special medical-waste container and incinerated.

Trained staff are employed to collect all blood donations and strict protocols are followed.

How much blood is taken at one time?

About 480ml. By law this is all one is allowed to donate

The donation process

• When you are comfortable on the chair, we will need to confirm your name, address and date of birth

• We examine your arm and place a cuff on your arm to maintain a small amount of pressure during donation (this does not measure blood pressure)

• We then examine your arm to find a suitable vein and clean it with an antiseptic sponge.We will insert a needle in your arm which will collect your blood into a blood bag with your unique number

• We only use new, sterile needles which are used once and incinerated thereafter

• A scale weighs the blood and stops when you have donated 480ml. This usually takes between 5-10 minutes

• In addition to the blood bag donated, 3 small vials of blood will also be collected. This is what goes through for testing with the unique number that refers back to the blood donated

• The needle will be removed and a sterile dressing applied to your arm

• You will be rewarded with cold drink or tea and biscuits…and with the knowledge you have helped to save a life.

Minimum requirements to be a blood donor

• You are between the ages of 16 and 65 years, for first time donors.

• You weigh a minimum of 50 kgs

• You have had a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood

• You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (and platelets in the last 14 days)

• Your pulse is between 50-100 regular beats per minute

• Your blood pressure is regular

• Your haemoglobin level is 12.5 g/dL or above

Source/useful link: www.sanbs.org.za