The general consensus about blood donation is that 'you lose too much blood which you need'.  In fact, that is not the case because the blood bank only takes a pint of your blood of which within three days it will be restored in the body. The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) visited the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, inviting employees of the department to donate and save a life.

The support the employees of the department showed was tremendous, with others recruiting friends from within the department to come give a little. When contacting the SANBS, they hadn't received note as to how much blood they managed to collect from the department.

The process of donating is an easy one; a person needs to be between the ages of 16-65 years, weigh over 50kg or more and lead a healthy sexual lifestyle. According to Shanna Philpott, a call centre operator for SANBS, it is imperative that you eat before you donate. “You need to make sure that you've eaten at least an hour before donating,” she said. “Other basics required for donating is that your blood pressure and iron will be tested to see if you are able to donate,” she continued. Shanna also mentioned that should your blood pressure be low and your iron inadequate, you will be given three months' probation and thereafter if you wish to donate, you can go to the blood bank and do so.

Shanna also said that should you, after donating blood, experience or develop any symptoms of illness or severe bruising, notify the blood bank. For more information visit www.sanbs.org.za or call the SANBS toll free number 0800 11 9031.