Most people can relate. Giving blood saves lives. Others are not quite sure. For the ones who are not sure, this is for you. It’s the story of Aisha Dafalla.
Her first memories of donating blood were a little unpleasant. Although she was happy to give blood for the first time in 1981 as a Form 3 high school student, it did not end so well.
“When the process ended, I became weak and fainted,” she recalls.
When she came around, she was still thankful that she did donate her blood to someone who urgently needed it.
The need to give blood resurfaced five years later when her friend got an accident and needed urgent blood donations.
“ My friend and colleague back then, Madam Leah, requested me to accompany her to Mater hospital to donate blood for her brother who had been involved in an accident. I had to give blood as it was the only way to restore her back to life and health, she said.
This time around, the procedure went well and her friend got the precious pint she required to undergo an operation.
“My second donation experience was good and it opened my eyes to the importance of blood donation,” she says.
Ever since she has donated blood 66 times.
“I have been donating blood regularly since then, starting with once a year, twice and now am at three times a year,” she says.
At an awe-inspiring 66 donations, Aisha is Kenya’s female leading blood donor.
For Aisha, giving blood has become a mission to save lives. She intends to pursue it until she hits the age of 60.
“For me, giving blood is giving life to those in need. I cannot fully explain how happy and satisfied the process makes me feel. It is always great to know that I have saved lives with a priceless commodity. It gives me,” says the devout Muslim, peace campaigner and community development advocate.
She reveals that she took breaks to give birth and also breastfeed her three children.
“I have taken regular breaks when I am expectant and during breastfeeding periods,” says Aisha.
Her family has also joined in the generosity, with her husband and son also actively donating.
“My husband has now appreciated the importance of donating blood and now accompanies me for the blood donation sessions and he has since become a regular donor. My 21 years old son has since become a regular blood donor since he turned 19,” she says with a smile.
Blood Donations Save Lives
Kennedy Sanya is Kenya’s leading donor, at 91 times. Kennedy and Aisha have both been awarded certificates of recognition for their selflessness in donating blood consistently since 1981 and 1982 respectivively.
They are both Kenyan ambassadors for blood donation.
Aisha’s blood donation drive has gone online in an extended bid to create awareness of the need to give blood.
“We have a Facebook page called the Aisha Dafalla Foundation which we use to send appeals for blood donations. These are mostly on behalf of people who need urgent blood transfusions. More than 20 people have benefited from our online blood donation appeals,” she says.
Why should we give blood? A robust, sustainable blood system is a crucial component of every health care system.
Safe blood and blood products are required for health care services that include surgeries, treatments for cancer and other acute and chronic medical conditions.
Blood also plays a major role in childbirth, trauma care, and organ transplantation procedures.
In Kenya however, the blood donation culture is really nothing to write home about.
The country needs approximately 1,000,000 units of blood annually.
In 2020, the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service only managed a total of 164,275 units of blood or 16% of the 1 million units the country needed.
The amount is significantly below the annual target as per World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
KNBTS faced a similar deficit in 2019.
To stay healthy, Aisha maintains a simple diet filled with fruits, vegetables, water and protein. She also adheres to a fitness regimen that includes long walks.
“I have learnt that one needs to be healthy to ensure the safety of his or her blood. I try to keep whatever is on my plate as natural as possible and take lots of water. I will also spend quite a bit of time jogging and taking long walks. That way, I am able to stay healthy and active,” she says.
In her drive to spread the blood donation message, Aisha is particularly keen to see more young women also become blood donors.
“Contrary to popular myths, healthy women of childbearing age can still donate blood. This is despite the fact that they lose some blood during their menstrual periods,” she says.
Who is Not Eligible to Donate?
- Patients living with HIV, Hepatitis B or C, Syphilis
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Intoxicated or drunk individuals
- People who have got a piercing or body art done during the last 6 months
- Type 1 diabetes patients
- Blood cancer patients or patients with lymphoma or leukaemia
- Patients having coronary heart disease or those who have suffered a heart attack
- People who have a fever or other active infections
Before you donate:
- Stay well hydrated and do not miss meals
- Get a medical exam to get your blood pressure and haemoglobin levels checked.
- Inform the medics of any medication you are currently taking.
After you donate:
- Have a snack
- Get adequate rest.
- Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise.
