YOUR BLOOD CAN SAVE LIVES

This coming Tuesday, 14 June 2011 has been designated World Blood Donor Day on the website of the World Health Organisation (WHO). This year`s theme is, "MORE BLOOD, MORE LIFE".

Some 93 million blood donations are made annually globally.These are made by donors in all blood groups.

Fifty percent of all blood donations are made in the so-called, developed countries

It is estimated that 38% of all donors are in the age group below 25 years.

Should 1% of a country`s population donate blood. It will be enough to satisfy its basic blood requirements.

One in three persons is classified in the O- blood group. In cases of emergency this blood can be used for any patient. According to the SA Blood Transfusion, it is always short of blood in this group.

A medically fit person can donate blood every 56 days and it is not unusual for regulars to donate blood three or more times a year.

Any person between the ages 16 and 66 and weighing more than 50kl and who adheres to a safe sexual lifestyle may register as a blood donor.

Readers seeking more information are encouraged to visit www.sanbs.org.za and www.who.int

Pieter Rautenbach