Minimum Requirements to be a Blood Donor:
– You are between the ages of 16 and 65 years old, for first time donors.
– You weigh a minimum of 50 kgs (and platelets a minimum of 55 kgs).
– 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 4 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.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) will perform a screening test prior to donation to ensure that your blood pressure and haemoglobin levels are within a safe range for you to donate.