ZULULANDERS are encouraged to donate blood at the following mobile clinics during Blood Donor Month, June 2018
Monday 11th: Pick ‘n Pay, Pongola 9am-5pm
Tuesday 12th: Itshelejuba Hospital 9.30am-3pm
Wednesday 13th: Genmac 9.30am-3pm
Thursday 14th: Empangeni Library
Tuesday 19th: Mondi Felixton 10am-3pm
Wednesday 20th: Richards Bay Medical Institute 9am-3pm
Thursday 21st: Bethesda Hospital 10am-4pm
Friday 22nd – Sanlam Centre Empangeni 10am-4pm
Monday 25th: Leomat 9am-4pm
Tuesday 26th: KwaMagwaza Hospital 9am-3pm
Wednesday 27th Hluhluwe Rugby Club Noon-6pm
Thursday 28th: Hillside Alluminium 9.30-4pm
The donation process
Donating safe blood means you are committed to participating in a vital community service to improve the quality of life, for patients in need of blood transfusions.The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has various measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of blood donors and patients.
These measures ensure that our blood supply is among the safest in the world.
You will be required to complete a Self Exclusion Questionnaire (SEQ) meant to assess your health and lifestyle to ensure you are well enough to donate blood and that your blood may not be of any risk to a patient who may receive it.
This is followed by a one-on-one interview with the nurse who goes through the questions to ensure that the questions are understood and that the donor understands the importance of being honest on the questionnaire.
Your blood pressure and haemoglobin (iron) levels are checked.
(The checking of your iron level is done with a small prick to your finger.)
If you meet this criteria you may continue, if not you will be deferred
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.
You should not feel any discomfort or pain. If you do, tell a member of staff.
The needle will be removed and a sterile dressing applied to your arm.
The blood donation process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
You are requested to lay down for a few minutes once you have donated.
Remember these tips
Increase your fluid intake for four to six hours after donation.
Avoid strenuous physical exercise or heavy lifting with the arm used for donating for two hours.
Do not smoke for at least half an hour after donation.
If you feel unwell after making a donation or think you may be coming down with an infection, please contact your donor centre, call our toll free number 0800 119 031 or send an email to customerservice@sanbs.org.za
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