Blood drive on NWU campuses attracts new donors

Over the past few weeks the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) has held blood drives on the North-West University (NWU) campuses, including the Vaal campus. These drives were held to bolster the supplies of blood within the country as stocks are critically low at the moment.

The SANBS team collected blood throughout the day on Thursday, 10 March 2022, from students and staff members at the Vaal campus.

Katleho Mosunyane (30), an employee from the NWU at Vanderbijlpark campus and a regular blood donor, said, “it’s about more than giving blood, most importantly it is about the number of people your blood can save and the benefits there are to it, such as reducing the risk of heart diseases and cholesterol. Also, blood is a resource that is in demand, and I choose to give it to those in need.”

Through one-on-one consultations with SANBS employees, more students were prompted to continue donating. Before anyone could proceed to donate blood, employees of the SANBS expained the process to first-time donors.

Saabir Khan (27), a final year BA psychology student and first-time donor, said, “what scared me the most was the large needle that would be inserted into my arm.” SANBS staff inform all first-time donors of possible sensations that one might feel while donating blood, which can be terrifying. Khan also said, “the staff working at the donation site told me that the needle would feel like getting pinched, which made me feel at ease.”

Muneebah Monga (24), a third-year BA Communications student on the Vaal campus, said that donating blood is important because of her mother. “There were a lot of times that she needed a transfusion, and to honor my mother’s life I am giving back, just like how they helped her when she needed it,” she said. She also said it is a good thing to donate if you are able to.

Shanwill Marillac (27), a regular donor, said that the reason why he donates is because of his blood type, “I have O+ blood, so I’m a universal donor and the SANBS always needs my blood type, and I do something good by donating it”.

The SANBS is a not-for-profit organisation. According to the official SANBS website, to donate blood, you need to be between 16 and 75 years old and weigh more than 50 kilograms. Fewer than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors. A unit of blood lasts only 42 days after donation, and for this reason, blood donors need to donate regularly. Every unit of blood can save a minimum of three lives and the SANBS aim to collect 3 000 units of blood per day to ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply in the health care system.

There are various SANBS blood drive centres in numerous locations around the country. Anyone interested can visit their website for more information.

So far this year the SANBS has held two blood drives on the Vaal campus, on 28 February 2022 and 10 March 2022. Due to protest action by students at North-West University, which started on 11 March 2022, the SANBS cancelled their planned blood drive for the 11th. – Nthabiseng Masango, Lehlohonolo Nkumishe and Ziyaad Cassim