Why should you donate blood?
Safe blood saves lives. Every day thousands of people would die if others did not donate their blood.

By donating blood, you are giving a patient something money cannot buy and science cannot create.

A single blood donation can equal three gifts of life, as nearly every blood donation is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.

• Women who haemorrhage as a complication of pregnancy
• Children with severe anaemia
• Accident victims
• Surgical and cancer patients.
  

• You will complete a donor questionnaire that includes your personal details.
  
  
• You will answer questions regarding your health and social behaviour.
  
  
• You will undergo a one-on-one interview with a staff member following the questions you answered on the donor questionnaire.
  
  
• Your iron (haemoglobin) level will be checked and your blood pressure and pulse rate will be taken.
  
  
• During the donation process you will donate one unit of blood (480ml), which your body will quickly replace.
  
  
• You will receive refreshments to aid in replacing lost fluid.
  
  

• Weigh at least 50kg
• Be between the ages of 16 and 65
• Be in good health
• Lead a sexually safe lifestyle
• Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient.
  
  

• "I am afraid of the needle." This is quite understandable, but after you make that first donation, you will wonder why you ever hesitated.
  
  
• "Other people are giving enough blood." Unfortunately, less than one percent of the population give blood, which means that the majority of South Africans do not donate and there is always a need to recruit donors.
  
  
• "My blood isn't the right type." Regular donations of all blood types are needed.
  
  
• "I had an illness." Discuss this with the trained clinic staff who will give you the right advice.
  
  
• "I don't have enough blood to spare." The average adult body contains approximately five litres of blood and a donation is only 480ml.
  
  
• "It will hurt and I will faint." A slight pinch on the inside of your arm is all that you will feel and if you have had something substantial to eat in the four hours prior to donating, you should be fine.
  
  
  

A couple of pointers to note before making a donation;

• Be sure to have eaten a balanced meal at least 4 hours before you come to donate.
  
  
• Allow yourself about thirty minutes to an hour to complete the process from registration to refreshments.
  
  
• Check the list of reasons why you might not be eligible to donate and see if any refer to you.
  
  
• If you feel unwell after making a donation or think you may be coming down with an infection, please contact your nearest donor clinic.
  
  
• If you are still unsure about your eligibility to donate, contact us toll free at 0800 11 9031 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it