Urgent appeal for blood donations

The South African National Blood Services is appealing for blood donations to avert the imminent shortage of this life-saving resource.

Vanessa Raju of the blood services said traditionally winter months, coupled with school holidays and illnesses associated with the cold weather such as flu, have a negative impact on blood donation as people preferred to remain indoors.This places immense pressure on the blood services to collect safe and good quality blood. “The organisation needs to maintain a blood stock level of five days at all times by collecting 3 000 units of blood every day to meet the demand of thousands of patients who rely on blood transfusion for their survival,” she said. “However, at the moment they have less than the required stock.”

The organisation is appealing to its regular and new donors to donate selflessly in order to save lives which may include relatives, pregnant women in delivery rooms and those who are anaemic.

Eligible donors should between 16 and 65, weigh 50kg and above, have had a good meal before donating, be in good health and lead a sexually safe lifestyle.

Details: 0800 11 9031 or www.sanbs.org.za