Affinity Health & The 100% Foundation Host Successful Blood Drives
Affinity Health and The 100% Foundation host successful blood drives in Benoni and Flora during February – over 70 donors were in attendance!
Your Blood Saves Lives
South Africa’s National Blood Service (SANBS) has faced its most severe blood shortage in over a decade. At present, only one person in about 140 people is a blood donor. This means that the nation is almost always close to running out of blood stocks. This places thousands of lives at risk every single day. Your contribution of blood is essential.
When someone donates blood, they give patients a gift that no money nor science can replicate. Because blood is split into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets, a unit of blood can potentially recover at three more lives.
Affinity Health is committed to increasing awareness about the importance of blood donation. To assist SANBS in collecting additional units of blood, Affinity Health and The 100% Foundation arranges blood drives throughout the country monthly.
“Blood is a valuable resource that anybody can donate to assist someone in need. However, less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors. This pales in comparison to the minimum volume of 810 000 units of blood that South Africa needs every year,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.
“If you’ve never donated blood before, it can be a little frightening. Some people may be concerned about the discomfort associated with blood donation, the safety procedures in place, the time required to donate blood, or the costs involved.
The truth is that blood donation is as painful as a skin prick during the needle insertion; there are strict safety protocols in place, donation takes about an hour from start to finish, and there is absolutely no cost involved.”
Would You Like to Donate Blood?
Here is how you can donate blood. Follow this simple five-step process to donate:
Step 1:
Consume a meal four hours before visiting the donor centre
Step 2:
Fill out the donor questionnaire
Step 3:
Answer a few questions with a SANBS nurse
Step 4:
SNABS checks your Blood pressure, ferritin levels, and body mass
Step 5:
Donate blood
“Knowing that a single donation has the potential to save at least three lives justifies blood donation,” adds Hewlett.
“One never knows when they, a close friend, or a family member may be the patient in need of a blood transfusion.”
To locate a SANBS blood donation centre closest to you, click here. Or you may consider joining the next 100% Foundation blood drive at Affinity Health!
Affinity Health & The 100% Foundation
Over the years, Affinity Health – a proudly South African health insurer, a specialised supplier of a range of long-term health insurance products, operating nationwide from Gauteng – has supported and made strategic investments to assist countless non-profit organisations dedicated to the upliftment of all South Africans.
About Affinity Health
Affinity Health is South Africa’s leading provider of health insurance, offering you a range of options at affordable rates including access to the widest national provider network. We understand the importance of having medical insurance that meets your needs, your budget, and your lifestyle. Our range of healthcare products is designed to protect you and your family when it matters the most. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service at all times. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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