NOW that winter is upon us, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) anticipates that blood stocks will fall below the desired level required for meeting daily demand.
To ensure that a sufficient supply of blood remains available for recipients affected by different medical conditions, SANBS must collect 3 000 units of blood every day. Each unit of blood could save three lives.
In addition to hiding away from the blistering cold, donor numbers usually slump over this time because schools close over the holiday period and that is when many blood drives take place. Colds and flu are other reasons for donors being unable to donate blood.
High-school learners are a crucial group of donors. Nationally, teenagers aged 16 to 19 constitute 21 per cent of SANBS’ total active donor base which is currently over 430 000. They have taken the bold step to join the many men and women who go out of their way to donate blood.
“These young people are truly exemplary South Africans and while they are away from school to enjoy a well-deserved break, we could run into some shortages which will put our ability to serve the public under pressure,” says SANBS communications manager Vanessa Raju.
SANBS urges all donors to honour their donation schedule and encourage their friends, family and colleagues to join them and become regular donors if they meet the basic requirements.
“Our doors are open to members of the public who either want to start donating or simply have questions about the donation process which might seem complicated and daunting for those who have never before considered giving blood,” add Raju.
For more information on how to become a blood donor and to find your nearest donor centre, visit www.sanbs.org
