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WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL 2013
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Staff give blood
Show their support for A Unit for my Patient } Boipelo Mere THE new A Unit for my Patient project was launched at the Kimberley Hospital Complex (KH) whereby healthcare workers were encouraged to roll up their sleeves and become committed blood donors. The project, which is expected to be rolled out across the country, is an initiative by the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in collaboration with the KH to ensure that there will be adequate blood available when needed by patients. Doctors, nurses, student nurses, cleaners, pharmacists and visitors of first-time and regular donors heeded the call and donated blood in a race to reach the 100-units target that was the aim on the day. Double red cell collections from donors who meet the criteria for this apheresis procedure will also take place at this event. According to Irene van Schalkwyk, SANBS marketing consultant, clinics and hospitals have been unsuccessful in encouraging staff members to donate in the past years. Thus they will also be extending the campaign to other hospitals in the Northern Cape as it has already been launched in other provinces like the Free State. Explaining the procedures for red cell donors Van Schalkwyk said: “Group O and B donors; age over 18 years; weight of more than 70 kg; height over 165 cm and a haemoglobin (Hb) level of 14.5g/dl and above. Donors who donate double red cells will be able to donate once every 112 days as opposed to 56 days for normal donations.”
Northern Cape
Dr Lizanne Koning, the clinical manager at the KH, also donated blood to signify her appreciation for the initiative. She revealed that she was a regular donor and hoped Kimberley would donate close to or more than the 143 units that had been collected in Port Elizabeth. In the SANBS stall that were put up in the KH yard, donors went through all the processes of filling out questionnaires and rapid blood-group tests before doing the whole blood donation. Magda Tesner, the public relations practitioner in Kimberley, reminded everyone that one donor could save the lives of three people. Manne van Rooi was a proud first-time donor. He said he had realised how many people lost their lives due to blood shortages. He was happy that the hospital had taken the initiative of informing the staff members like him about procedures. “From today on I’ll be a regular donor and will also be able to encourage my son to become a regular donor and create awareness amongst our communities. I’ll definitely come back to donate after 56 days, which is in June,” said Van Rooi proudly. Sophia Alexander, who donated blood for the 16th time after ten years, said the only reason why she had not been donating blood was because her Hb had dropped. “But now I am back on the list for good as I know the importance of giving my unit,” the 47-year-old said and smiled. Boipelo Gopane, also a staff member at the KH, was motivated and tried to donate, but due to high blood pressure she was requested to first produce a supporting letter from her doctor.
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MANNE VAN ROOI (31) gave his unit of blood.
Photos: Boipelo Mere
MOSES THEMBA of the SANBS explains to Nelly Shuping, who was taking a blood group test, how the substance determining one’s blood type works.
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Boipelo Mere
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