BLOOD DONATION AT KUCT MAIN CAMPUS by njoRAw Eltigre

 SAVE A LIFE DONATE BLOOD

14th Feb 2011

Blood donation is an important activity that every responsible and healthy citizen should take part in. Sharing your blood can save a life since every 10 minutes someone in Kenya  needs blood. You may help up to four persons at each donation and they may be victims of a vehicle accident,fire,children and mothers suffering from malaria or cancer patients, people with bleeding disorders and people undergoing surgery.

Blood donation can be done by people aged between 16 and 65 years of age.There is no pain associated with donating blood, just a slight discomfort. You are supposed to eat well on the day you give blood to ensure your well being.




 Only one unit of blood will be taken which is less than a pint. An average adult's body has between 10 - 12 pints of blood.The blood donated is quickly replaced by the body.Men can donate blood after every 3 months while women after every 4 months.

 This academic year 2010/2011there have been two blood donation drives by the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service at Kimathi University College of Technology. The first one was held on February 14th 2011 and was jokingly dubbed 'the bloody valentines' while the other one was held on 17th and 18th May 2011.




Students turned up to give their share and encourage others who were scared and reluctant.

Procedure For Blood Donation

1. The persons weight is obtained,you have to weigh at least 50kg.

2. You fill out a blood donation form that has several questions.

3. Verification of your blood pressure is done and also the volume of your blood is ascertained by a small portion being immersed in a special solution. If it sinks in the solution,you are allowed to donate, if it does not you cannot donate.

A Blood Bag

4. You are issued with a blood bag and directed to the donation point, where you are seated on a special chair.

5.A needle is inserted into a vein on the hand you prefer. You then proceed to squeeze a ball using the hand that has the needle as the blood fills the bag.






The blood bag is placed on a machine that measures the volume and when the required volume is reached it beeps and you are done.

6.After donating,you rest for a few minutes on he chair after which you are given a 500ml Soda and biscuits  to boost your energy.

7. After eating you are directed to a registration table where you give some details like your name,blood group, ID and student ID number after which you are free to leave.

Have a fun time helping to save a life by donating blood. More information can be gotten from the  Blood link Foundation they can be found on facebook or through their website www.bloodlinkfoundation.org or email them at info@bloodlinkfoundation.org