June is National Blood Donor Month
SANBS kick-starts National Blood Donor Month by honouring the dedicated donors who heed the humanitarian call to donate blood.
While June marks the start of winter and Youth Month, it is also National Blood Donor Month and the SANBS is again pleading with society to share some of its blood to save lives.
SANBS CEO, Ravi Reddy noted: “We know better than most that each year, millions of South Africans need blood transfusions to lead healthy lives.
“If it weren’t for voluntary blood donations, who knows what people would have to do to get blood when they needed it? Who knows how many people would have access to safe blood when they needed it?”
SANBS kick-starts National Blood Donor Month with a special focus on honouring the dedicated donors who heed the humanitarian call to donate blood while inspiring others to do the same.
“This year, World Blood Donor Day (June 14) finds SANBS recovering from a unique set of circumstances that brought the world to its knees,” said Reddy.
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“Even amidst the pandemic, our annual observance has in no way lost its significance and importance. With hosts of people still receiving blood transfusions in hospitals, the need for blood has not slowed down.
“This amazing effort during a moment of exceptional distress exemplifies the importance of collaboration while encouraging the government and national health authorities to support the development of necessary resources, systems and infrastructure to boost the collection of blood from unpaid, voluntary donors.
“Attempts to save lives have been at the forefront of all blood donors’ minds, and we want to thank them for their involvement and support.
“The growing realisation across the globe that giving blood is a life-saving act of solidarity and that services that provide safe blood and blood products are a crucial part of any healthcare system is amongst the core reasons we encourage you to continue donating and raising awareness on the importance of doing so.”
The blood bank is having difficulty in getting donors to commit regularly and hopes that those who donate will become regular donors.
“We encourage more people to take up the cause and become lifesavers by pledging to donate blood on June 14,” Reddy concluded.
To find out more about where you can donate blood, visit sanbs.org.za or call 080 011 9031.
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