Become a blood donor and help save lives
The SANBS is urging South Africans to donate blood.
“It really is an awesome thing to do,” said blood recipient Sunita Morar.
She received blood in August due to a haemorrhage during labour.
Thanks to a blood donor, Sunita was able to survive and be a mother to her newborn baby.
Sunita and thousands of other patients who incur trauma-related incidents have a second chance at life because of the generous donations made by South Africans.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is urgently calling on group O and other blood group donors to donate blood to meet demand.
Scheduled blood drives at universities, businesses and on other sites yield a significant amount of the units of blood collected annually and although the SANBS has systems in place to minimise the effects of shortages, there has been an increasingly high demand for blood in hospitals, leaving group O blood stocks at a low.
As a result of the low blood stocks, the SANBS is appealing to members of the public to visit their nearest donor centre as soon as they can.
“We are experiencing a high demand for blood from hospitals and are in serious need of blood donations across the country.
“Our group O blood stocks are getting low.
“We are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those who may need blood or blood products during this period,” said Silungile Mlambo, SANBS chief marketing officer.
Group O is considered the universal blood group because anyone, regardless of blood type, can receive group O blood without risking a transfusion reaction.
ALSO READ:
Jacobus marks his 200th blood donation
“The best gift you can give anyone is the gift of life.
“We know that South Africans have huge hearts and we call on them to fully embrace the spirit of Ubuntu by giving their blood donation today,” said Mlambo.
The SANBS has planned various blood drives around the country with extended hours and additional weekend blood drives to ensure a stable supply of blood during this period.
However, it is only possible to meet the demand with the help of regular and committed blood donors.
Blood donations go beyond just the person who receives blood – it’s not just blood, it’s saving a nation.
Visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 11 9031 to find out where you can donate blood this festive season.
The Germiston Donor Centre is located at Lambton Court Shopping Centre and is open at the following times:
• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 10am to 5pm.
• Thursday: 10am to 7pm.
• Saturday: 9am to 2pm.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.
Also follow us on:
