Help SANBS raise blood stock this festive season

BLOOD stocks fluctuate throughout the year, and as we enter the festive season, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) reminds South Africans of the importance of donating blood to aid in keeping blood stocks at safe levels.

Although the festive season is fun for most people, it is a difficult period for patients who need blood and blood products to lead regular lives. “A large portion of our blood products are used to treat patients with chronic illnesses. With December traditionally yielding low collections, this could threaten peoples’ ability to enjoy their holidays should we not have the required blood products on hand when needed,” said Thandi Mosupye, SANBS Senior Manager: Marketing and Communication.

To get ahead of this challenge, SANBS calls on Group O and B donors to give a unit of blood prior to setting off for their holiday destinations. “We need to collect a minimum of 3 500 units of blood, daily, to maintain safe stock levels. We approach this season with stocks being lower than we’d like, and we could have some tough times ahead if donors do not respond to our call to lend a hand,” Mosupye added. Five (5) days’ blood stocks are required to sustain the country’s need.

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SANBS is calling on all donors who are due for donation to spare some time out of their day and give the gift of life. Each unit of blood goes a long way towards ensuring that those reliant on blood donations get to spend time with their families, too.

On Tuesday, November 8, SANBS launched the Change a Life campaign to educate donors about platelet donation. “Platelet donors are crucial in helping us to provide much-needed products for the treatment of patients with blood disorders and cancer, and organ recipients. Patients undergoing cancer treatment are highly dependent on regular platelet donations as part of their recovery,” Mosupye concluded. The conversation about platelet donation continues on SANBS’ social media pages.

“All willing and eligible donors are urged to visit their nearest mobile and fixed donor centres. With the help of donors, SANBS has been able to carry out the important task of collecting blood to meet South Africa’s needs. Each unit of blood will give a needed boost to blood collections ahead of the busiest part of the holidays. Mobile blood drives continue to run across the country, and all fixed donor centres are electrified during blackouts. People from Queensburgh can donate in Chatsworth or visit our blood donor centre in Pinecrest Pinetown. Alternatively, they can phone our toll-free number at 0800 11 9031,” said Sifiso Khoza, KZN regional marketing manager.

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Visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 9031 to find a mobile blood drive or donor centre near you, and give blood. Follow the conversation on our Twitter (@thesanbs), Facebook (@sanbs) and Instagram (@thesanbs) social media pages.