Page 12 - Waterfall City Issue 3 March 2025

Waterfall City News

THE GIFT OF LIFE

Why blood donation matters

I magine being able to save three to maintain at least five days’ worth • Have had a balanced meal within four
lives in just 30 minutes. No
hours of donating
of blood supply for each blood type.
superpowers required – just the
This ensures hospitals and clinics can
simple act of donating blood. It’s
be done every eight weeks – a small
something many of us don’t think continue lifesaving procedures without Your donation is quick, safe, and can
delay.
about until an emergency strikes, act with a massive impact.
yet thousands of people rely on However, less than 1% of South Africans
donated blood every single day. regularly donate blood. With every What happens to your
refrigerated unit of blood only lasting blood?
At Waterfall City, we believe in making 42 days at 6˚C before it needs to be One donation does more than you
a difference, not just in business, but discarded, the need for regular donors think! Each unit of blood is separated
in the community we serve. Through is greater than ever. SANBS requires at into three components:
various Waterfall City Cares initiatives – least 3,000 units of blood daily to meet Red blood cells – Used for surgeries,
whether it’s recycling N1 banners into national demand – so every donation accident victims, and patients with
school bags, supporting book fairs in counts. anaemia.
aid of HospiceWits, or hosting e-waste Plasma – Helps burn victims, trauma
recycling days – we are committed to Who can donate? patients, and those with clotting
sustainable social development. And one Think you don’t qualify? You might be disorders.
of the most powerful ways to make an surprised! If you meet the following Platelets – Essential for cancer
impact? Donating blood. Waterfall City criteria, you could be a lifesaver: patients undergoing chemotherapy.
began its blood drives on the 20th of • Aged between 16 and 75
February 2021, and since then 631 units • Weigh 50kg or more The donation process: What
of blood have been donated to save lives. • Have a valid ID to expect
• In good health and leading a low-risk Nervous about donating? There’s
Why is blood donation so lifestyle nothing to fear! The process is simple
important? • Have not donated blood in the past and safe:
South Africa’s blood stocks are critically 56 days Fill out a quick questionnaire – This
low, with the South African National • Have not travelled to a malaria area ensures you’re eligible to donate.
Blood Service (SANBS) working tirelessly outside SA in the past three years Health check – A nurse will check

10 Waterfall City Issue 3 2025