Donate blood and save lives
ALEXANDRA – Blood service pleads for more blood to save lives.
The South African National Blood Services (Sanbs) appeals to Alex residents to save lives through blood donation from 10am on 20 April at the Alex Plaza.
The donated blood is essential for the Easter holiday period when many citizens will be involved in road-related accidents, other mishaps and for pregnant women who may require blood. In a statement, Sanbs said eligible donors should be between 16 and 75 years old, weigh a minimum of 50kg, in good health, lead-safe lifestyles, consider their blood safe for transfusion and should have had a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood.
Excluded from donating are those who are HIV positive, being treated for sexually transmitted infections, had surgery in the past three months, are pregnant, have cancer or a heart condition.
The donated blood is tested and separated into its components of red blood cells, plasma and platelets. “Each of the components is given to patients and most of it goes to hospitals to treat gynaecological conditions,” the statement read.
A beneficiary was grateful of donated blood saying it saved her and her baby’s lives. Thandeka Monageng received two units of blood after she experienced complications during childbirth. “I am alive and well and enjoying spending time with my baby boy who I can watch as he crawls and walks,” she said. “The blood also gave my husband a chance to have a wife and I will go all out to encourage people to donate blood because of the positive impact it can make to our nation.”
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