SANBS urges the public to help keep blood stocks up
This is an urgent call to all who are eligible, willing and able, to donate blood.
FOLLOWING a successful run during stages five and four of the national lockdown, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has started to see a decline in its blood stocks.
SANBS is therefore appealing to all blood donors to continue to donate blood to increase the current blood stock level.
With very little blood available, this will have a severe impact on the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions.
“Whenever our blood stocks reach below two-days, it places the lives of patients at risk. The lives of a haemorrhaging mother, newborn babies, accident victims, cancer-fighting patients and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion,” said Silungile Mlambo, SANBS chief marketing officer.
SANBS needs to collect 4 000 units of blood a day to meet the daily demand for blood.
“This is an urgent call to all who are eligible, willing and able to donate blood to give the gift, as you have consistently done in the months that have passed,” Mlambo pleaded.
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A blood donation gives patients a second chance with their loved ones. Everyone is called to continue to visit their nearest blood donor centre or mobile blood drive. It’s more than just one unit of blood – it is a move that can save up to three lives.
“Thirty minutes, four four times a year, is all it takes to make a monumental impact on the lives of others,” said Mlambo.
To become a blood donor, you must:
- Be between the ages of 16 and 75 years,
- Weigh 50kg or more,
- Be in good health,
- Lead a healthy lifestyle,
- Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient,
- Commit to donating blood regularly.
Visit the Musgrave Blood Donor Clinic in Pardy Gardens Road (off Musgrave Road), next to Berea Congregational Church to donate blood.
Working hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and Saturday 8am to 2pm.
Contact 031 201 3668.
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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