The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) encourages the community to donate blood and save lives.<\/p>\n
The universal access to safe blood is the lifeline for the healthcare system of any nation.<\/p>
As South Africans, we can all be proud of our dedicated and selfless voluntary donors who regularly donate blood to save lives of thousands of our people every year.<\/p>\n
But who can donate to this cause?<\/p>
Minimum requirements to be a blood donor:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 You are between the ages of 16 and 65 years old, for first-time donors.<\/p>\n \u2022 You weigh a minimum of 50kg (and platelets a minimum of 55kg).<\/p>\n \u2022 You are in good health.<\/p>\n \u2022 You lead a low-risk lifestyle.<\/p>\n \u2022 You consider your blood safe for transfusion.<\/p>\n \u2022 You have had a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood.<\/p>\n \u2022 You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (and platelets in the last 14 days.)<\/p>\n \u2022 Your pulse is between 50 and 100 regular beats per minute.<\/p>\n Your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) (180\/100mmHg) and above 100 systolic (first number) and above 60 diastolic (second number) (100\/60mmHg).<\/p>\n \u2022 Your haemoglobin level is 12.5g\/dL or above.<\/p>\n \u201cOur screening test ensures that your blood pressure and haemoglobin levels are within a safe range for you to donate,\u201d said the SANBS.<\/p>\n Please ask for more information if:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 You have had surgery in the last six months or are due for an operation within the next six weeks.<\/p>\n \u2022 You are pregnant or breastfeeding your baby.<\/p>\n \u2022 You are on medication such as antibiotics<\/p>\n \u2022 You have travelled from, or have travelled to, a malaria area.<\/p>\n \u2022 You have had cancer, heart disease, epilepsy, a bleeding disorder or any other chronic medical condition.<\/p>\n \u2022 You are involved in a \u201chazardous\u201d occupation or sport, such as operating heavy machinery, flying a plane, scuba diving, working at heights, etc.<\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\nALSO READ:\u00a0Donate blood and save a life \u2013 encourages school<\/a><\/h4>\n