NZ Blood Services visit HBHS

On Friday 19 March, the HBHS School Hall was filled with young men eager to make a difference to the lives of others.  The visit from NZ Blood Services was an opportunity for our seniors to donate blood for the first time, as well as to participate in an aspect of the on-going house competition.

 
Human blood is unique. It can't be manufactured and it can't be replaced by animal blood. Yet statistics show that less than 5% of all possible donors in New Zealand actually roll their sleeves up and give each year. Daniel Madley (a Year 13 Prefect) co-ordinated an innovative booking system this year that allowed over 80 boys to make a donation on Friday. The success and popularity of this approach has convinced NZ Blood Services to stay a second day during the next ‘blood run’.

If you’ve ever wondered about becoming a blood donor, the criteria for donations are as follows:

• First Time Donors - 16 to 60 years of age.
• Existing Donors - Up to 71 years of age.
• You must be 50 kg or over.
• You must be in good health.
• You cannot donate if you have a cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection.
• If you have recently had a tattoo or body piercing you cannot donate for 6 months from the date of the procedure.
• If you have visited the dentist for a minor procedure you must wait 24 hours before donating; for major work wait a month.
• You must not have lived in the United Kingdom, France or the Republic of Ireland between 1980 and 1996 for a cumulative 6 months or more.
• You must have eaten some food during the four hours prior to donation.
• You must bring appropriate identification with you each time you donate.

The New Zealand Blood Services, www.nzblood.co.nz, can help you to find out the range of donation locations and options.  Thank you for considering this vital public service.