Good reasons to Donate Blood
- Blood saves lives: When a unit is donated, it is separated into 3 components and can therefore enhance the lives of 3 patients.
- There is NO known substitute: Only real human blood will do.
- Blood is in short supply: Because the need for blood is so unpredictable, we are often in short supply as only 1% of the Namibian population are blood donors.
- It’s for a good cause: The recipients of blood donations are patients who require the blood to enhance their chance at life. Giving does not get better than this.
- It could be you requiring blood someday: It’s not nice to consider, but there is a possibility that you, a close friend, or a family member could well be the next car accident victim, or surgery patient requiring a transfusion. Is it not reassuring to know that if you donate regularly, the blood supply could be sufficient and available if you need it.
- The process is safe and quick: The normal blood donation process takes about 20 minutes and we use sterile, disposable equipment to ensure there’s no risk of infection.
- Be someone’s hero and join the 1% of the Namibian population that are blood donors.
What is blood used for?
Many lifesaving medical treatments require blood transfusions. Which and how many blood products are given to a patient will depend on his or her individual needs. Some of the patients who typically require blood transfusions are:
- Cancer patients
- Leukemia patients
- Burn patients
- Those receiving organ or bone marrow transplants
- Premature babies
- Victims of traumatic injuries and accidents
- Patients undergoing certain surgeries