The month of sharing love

THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) celebrates the month of love every month, not only February, and encourages others to show their love for those they may never meet by donating blood and making a difference in the lives of others.

“With your unselfish act of donating blood and sharing the love of the human race, you can make a difference to the lives of patients you may never know. February is the month of love, shared amongst people in a romantic nature, but it can also be a time to show your love by donating blood,” said Sifiso Khoza, SANBS regional marketing manager.

Khoza said January blood stock levels have dropped to less than one day's supply in some provinces, with a national average of two days for most of the month. He said SANBS needs the public to join the blood donation community and start donating a minimum of four times a year.

“We encourage all eligible donors to share their 'liquid love' this month by committing to donating blood a minimum of four times a year. It’s not too late to make this your resolution for 2015. With schools, universities and organisations all back to normal operations we thought we would be able to maintain good blood stock levels; however, that has not been the case,” he said.

In order to become a blood donor you must weigh at least 50kg, be between the ages of 16 and 65, lead a safe sexual lifestyle, be in general good health and consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient.