OPINION PIECE - On Tuesday, 23 November I donated blood for the first time in my life.

I decided to donate blood after recently reporting on blood shortages in South Africa. Reporting on this urgent matter made me very much aware of the ongoing challenge the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) faces.

I checked the schedule of the SANBS online and made a note in my diary to donate at the Langeberg Mall.

I also read up about what you should do before and after donating and I made sure that I had a proper breakfast on the day of my donation.

Donating
The staff at the donating site were friendly and accommodating. I first had to fill in a form with all my details, and also had to answer some personal questions with regards to my health. This all went by very quickly. After the paperwork my blood pressure was taken and my iron levels were tested. My two children and a friend of theirs came with me for moral support.

I was then shown to a bed where a professional nurse arranged the whole set-up.

With a prick of a needle, there I was, donating blood.

The whole process went by quickly and I didn't feel any side effects.

Afterwards I was treated with a tasty cookie and even received a cooler bag and pen in return for my donation.

The three children were hopping up and down outside the site with excitement when they saw me walking out. One of the SANBS staff who showed me the way out saw the excitement on the children's faces and pointed at them, while saying: "You just saved one, two, three lives!"

Looking at their faces I realised the massive impact of what I had just done.

I have diarised my second donation date and vow to become a regular donor.

I think that where possible, we should donate blood. It's an unselfish deed that costs you nothing but can save a person's life.

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