Give gift of life
Events organiser comes up with novel idea to boost severely depleted SANBS blood stocks
In order to help give back to her community, Skinny G Productions owner Nicole McComb will be organising a blood drive next Thursday, September 24, as part of the next Pop Up Food Market.
The drive will take place at 36 Vincent Road from 4pm to 6pm.
“I was a blood drive peer promoter in school. I saw that when a community comes together, you can get the job done,” she said.
McComb said that donating blood was especially important now, since the SA National Blood Service (SANBS) had been hit hard by the national lockdown.
“Now that there’s no events and malls are more restricted, [SANBS] are having a bit of an issue getting groups of people to donate,” she said.
According to the SANBS website, the national blood stock was just 3.6 days as of Wednesday morning, while platelet stocks stood at just 0.4 days.
“I’m trying to see how we can use this food event to pull people together to help donate blood,” McComb said.
For those who are a little unsure about whether they want to donate, McComb said she had a special incentive.
“It’s my birthday month so I’m giving beers to everyone who donates,” she said.
“If you don’t want a beer, you can get a free spring roll instead.”
In order to donate, you must meet the following requirements:
● You are between the ages of 16 and 75 years old, for first time donors.
● You weigh a minimum of 50kg (and for platelets a minimum of 55 kg).
● You are in good health.
● You lead a low-risk lifestyle.
● You consider your blood safe for transfusion.
● You have had a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood.
● You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (and platelets in the last 14 days).
● Your pulse is between 50-100 regular beats per minute.
● Your blood pressure is below 180/100 and above 100/60.
● Your haemoglobin level is 12.5 g/dL or above.
For more information about the drive, visit the Skinny G Productions Facebook page.