Global call for blood donors
SANBS has issued a global call for blood donors of the future.
THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has united with blood donor organisations across 21 countries to highlight an almost 30 per cent international drop blood donors compared to a decade ago.
In a survey for the Missing Type campaign, participating blood services reported the number of people becoming donors and giving blood for the first time was 1,830,003 in 2005 and 1,324,980 in 2015 – a drop of 27.6 per cent.
The campaign – first held in England and North Wales by NHS Blood and Transplant in 2015 – this year brings together 25 blood services from 21 countries covering one billion of the world’s population who are each calling for new donors to ensure blood donation for future generations.
In South Africa, there is a particular need for new donors with O negative blood. O negative blood can be transfused to anyone, so these donors are referred to as “universal donors”. However, all blood groups are required to ensure adequate stocks at all times.
Sillungile Mlambo, senior marketing manager for the SANBS, the service that collects, tests and processes blood across South Africa, said: “Blood transfusions save lives and transform health for millions across the world. But they are dependent on people donating blood. Whether it is patients receiving treatment for cancer, blood disorders, after accidents or during surgery, or new moms who lost blood in childbirth, blood is an absolutely essential part of modern healthcare. We really hope that people living in South Africa will be inspired by the Missing Type campaign and start saving lives by becoming blood donors. It’s incredibly easy and painless to donate blood, by simply visiting one of 86 donor sites, or 66 mobile teams in the country.”
A number of high profile brands, individuals and organisations are backing the campaign in South Africa.
According to the SANBS, just seven per cent of new blood donors are people between the ages of 16 and 25 (according to 2015 stats).
You can start donating blood across South Africa from age 16, if you weigh over 50 kilograms and lead a sexually safe lifestyle. Keep in mind one must never donate blood to receive a free HIV test as it places lives of patients at risk.
To sign up as a new donor, visit sanbs.org.za for your closest donor site.
