The University is holding a blood donation drive on Tuesday, 19 June 2018 from 10:00 to 14:00 in the Admin Building Foyer on the Hatfield Campus. Staff and students are urged to participate. Your blood donation could save a life.

According to the South African National Blood Service, ‘the universal access to safe blood is the lifeline for the healthcare system of any nation. As South Africans, we can all be proud of our dedicated and selfless voluntary donors who regularly donate blood to save lives of thousands of our people every year.’

Minimum requirements to be a blood donor:

• You are between the ages of 16 and 65, for first time donors.
• You weigh a minimum of 50kgs (and platelets a minimum of 55kgs).
• You are in good health.
• You lead a low risk lifestyle.
• You consider your blood safe for transfusion.
• You have had a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood.
• You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (and platelets in the last 14 days).
• Your pulse is between 50-100 regular beats per minute.
• Your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) (180/100mmHg) and above 100 systolic (first number) and above 60 diastolic  (second number) (100/60mmHg).
• Your haemoglobin level is 12.5 g/dL or above.

A screening test ensures that your blood pressure and haemoglobin levels are within a safe range for you to donate.