blood drive Rosebank college.

 blood drive Rosebank college.

The transfusion of blood is lifesaving, so does donating blood

Hellen Moshikaro | November 20, 2023

It is that time of the year, where The South African National Blood Services offer South Africans the chance to donate blood and in the process make a difference.

Every year The national September Blood Drive runs from 1 to 30 September and anyone from the ages of 16 to 65 weighing more than 50kgs is urged to and eligible to donate blood.

On the 19th of September 2023, in Braamfontein Rosebank college was a day event of blood drive where students and workers participated in the drive, the turnout was very low.

The South African National Blood services (SANBS) has been encouraging people to donate blood through its blood drives all around the country, but less people are coming forth to donate.

On the 1st of June 2023 The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has been facing severe blood stock shortages. Due to the cold weather conditions and a higher than usual demand for blood have sent blood stocks plummeting. SANBS needs to collect 3500 units of blood a day and the SANBS is encouraging all potential and existing blood donors that are due to donate, to visit a SANBS blood donation site, to donate their precious unit of blood.

An employee of SANBS at Rosebank college in Braamfontein encouraged donors to spread the word regarding the blood drives as “With little blood available on hand, this will have a severe impact on the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions,” mr Chauke said, and continues to tell the benefits of the blood donation as one person can save up to 3 lives a day.

“The lives of haemorrhaging mothers, newborn babies, accident victims, and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion can be saved by one’s blood” mr Chauke added “you never know when your loved ones might get into an accident as life has its unexpected turns and so can they happen to you too, that is why it is important that people donate”.

To become a blood donor, you must:

• Be between the ages of 16 and 75 years
• Weigh 50kg or more
• Be in good health
• Lead a healthy lifestyle

Donating on a consistent basis is essential because while plasma can be frozen, whole blood can only be refrigerated for up to 35 days, after which it must be discarded. 

“Waste blood is not kept on premises or thrown out in dustbins but rather, burned out” Mr Chauke said.

After donating donors received an SMS from the SANBS thanking them with online vouchers, fit for students.

To find out more about donating blood, or find a clinic near you, visit the South African National Blood Service here, or call the toll-free number 0800 119 031.