Having donated more than 20 pints of blood, that is 20 times so far, I can confidently say that blood donation is one of the most fulfilling act of humanity. Service to mankind is service to God and no any act of kindness goes unrewarded including donating blood. https://youtu.be/daAmefDpe7Q

You are required to donate only one (450 ml)unit of blood. A human being carries 10 to 12 pints of blood. 1 unit can be used to save a life; blood is composed of different components.

The blood collected by KNBTS  is used mainly for transfusion. Most of the blood is used in transfusion either as whole blood or as a component of whole blood i.e. white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets or plasma depending on the recipients need.

WHO SHOULD DONATE BLOOD

•  If you are 16 years to < 65
• If you are 50 kgs and above
• If you have Safe sexual lifestyle
• Every healthy individual with no known infection
• If you are not under medication
• There should be a gap of at least 56 days between donations
• Men can donate blood every 3 months and women after every 4 months.

WHEN NOT TO DONATE

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• If your health might suffer as a result
• You are anemic
• You have taken antibiotics during the week before you attend the session
• You are taking regular medication or awaiting the results of medical tests
• You have had a body pierce or injected yourself with a non-prescribed drug within the last one year
• You have had a sexually transmitted disease in the last one year

BENEFITS OF GIVING BLOOD

1.     Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person

2.     A donor effectively burns about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood

3.     In patients prone to iron overload, blood donation prevents the accumulation of toxic quantities

4.     Donating blood may reduce the risk of heart disease for men.

5.     The safest blood can only be collected from voluntary non-remunerated donors.

6.     55% of blood donated is used to treat anaemia in children and mothers during pregnancy and child birth.

7.     60% of blood is collected from school children. There is need to have more adults volunteer to donate.

8.     All equipment and needles used during donation are sterilized and sealed, therefore no risk of infection to the donor.

9.     A donor’s health status is highly confidential and can only be released to the donor himself/ herself on request and after counseling.

THE DONATION PROCESS

• Before you give blood, you will be asked some questions about your medical history, current health and lifestyle.
• Any personal information that you are asked to give will be kept confidential and will not be used for any other purpose.
• It is very important to be truthful about any reason why your blood might not be stable.
• After answering the questions you will be given a brief medical examination that may include the checking of your pulse, blood pressure and weight.
• A drop of blood will then be taken from your fingertip to check that giving blood will not make you anemic.
• Your health is so important to the blood transfusion service and blood will not be taken unless you can safely give a donation that day.
• The area inside one your elbows will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution before a trained health worker inserts a sterile needle, connected to a blood bag, into your vein.
• It usually takes about 10 minutes to donate a unit of blood.
• After resting for 10 or 15 minutes and taking some refreshment, you will be able to return to your normal activities, although you should avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day.
• You should drink plenty of fluids over the next 24 hours.

You can organize a blood drive activity at your workplace, church or institution as a humanitarian or CSR activity. Please contact KNBTS to organize for a blood drive    #1Blood1Tribe1Kenya