The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) faces severe blood stock shortages.
Blood supplies are falling due to the hot weather and an unusually high demand for blood.
SANBS urgently requests all prospective and current blood donors scheduled to donate to visit a SANBS blood donation station to give their unit of blood. SANBS needs to collect 3 500 units per day.
SANBS is an independent NPO and one of the leaders in blood transfusion.
It operates in eight provinces because the Western Cape Blood Service services the Western Cape. It also provides crucial support to countries in the SADC region.
According to the senior manager of marketing, communication, and brand at SANBS, Thandi Mosupye, blood supply is limited and will negatively affect patients who depend on life-saving transfusions.
“Patients’ lives are at risk whenever our blood stocks drop below three days. The lives of haemorrhaging mothers, newborns, accident victims, and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion,” Mosupye added.
Patients get another chance to be with their loved ones with every blood donation.
Alberton SANBS blood donor Abram Bapela said he decided to donate blood regularly because he knew he made a difference and saved at least one life.
“I will continue to make a difference for as long as I am still alive. A person might not know their donation could save a life that could change our country for the better,” said Bapela.
To become a blood donor, you must:
• Be aged between 16 and 75;
• Weigh at least 50kg.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and be in good health;
• Think of your blood as safe to give to a patient in a transfusion;
• Commit to donating blood regularly.
“Don’t let SA run out of safe blood. Donate today,” Mosupye said.
To learn where to donate blood, visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31. Connect with SANBS on Twitter @theSANBS, Facebook @SANBS and Instagram @thesanbs.
