Each year, millions of South Africans need blood transfusions in order to lead healthy lives.
If it weren’t for voluntary blood donations, who knows how many people would have access to safe blood when they needed it?
This year, World Blood Donor Day finds us facing a unique set of circumstances not seen in many years.
Even amidst a pandemic, the annual observance has in no way lost its significance and importance.
With hordes of people receiving coronavirus treatment in hospitals, the need for blood has not slowed down.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) celebrates this annual observation which focuses on the contributions of selfless blood donors who contribute towards the health and well-being of others.
Moreover, these commemorations are an opportunity to call on more people to take up the cause and become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood regularly.
Once again, the SANBS commits to celebrating and extending heartfelt gratitude towards all of its blood donors.
“June 14 is a day that is particularly close to our hearts. We work tirelessly each year to ensure that safe and affordable blood products are available to our fellow countrymen, and we cannot negate the monumental role played by all our committed donors.
“We thank donors for their selfless acts, and so do the recipients of their blood,” said SANBS chief marketing officer, Silungile Mlambo.
“It is worth noting that the involvement and support of blood donors is most effective when individuals commit to donating regularly.
“The task of getting donors to commit regularly is a great challenge and we hope that through hearing and reading shared stories from
people whose lives have been saved by blood transfusions, people are motivated to adopt regular blood donation.”
To find out more about where you can donate blood visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.
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• This is where your blood goes:
There is a misconception that most of the blood donated in South Africa goes to accident victims. This is not the case.
Here is a rough breakdown from the SANBS of where the blood it collects is used:
• 28 per cent is used to treat cancer and aplastic anaemia.
• 27 per cent is used during childbirth.
• 21 per cent is used for scheduled surgery.
• 10 per cent is used for paediatric care.
• Six per cent goes to laboratories.
• Six per cent is used for orthopaedic care.
• Four per cent is used for accident or trauma victims.
• About World Blood Donor Day:
Every year on June 14, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD).
The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, lifesaving gifts of blood.
WBDD is celebrated every year on the birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who was born on June 14, 1868.
Celebrations bring a precious opportunity to celebrate donors on a national and global level, as well as to commemorate the birthday of Landsteiner (a great scientist who won the Nobel Prize for his great discovery of the ABO blood group system).
• About the SANBS:
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is an independent NPO, and one of the leaders in the discipline of blood transfusion.
The SANBS operates in eight out of nine provinces in South Africa (with the exception of the Western Cape, which is serviced by the Western Cape Blood Service).
It also provides crucial support to countries in the SADC region.
The SANBS supplies over one million blood products annually and is rated among the top blood services in the world.
This pedigree comes as a result of world-class testing and collection protocols which ensure that the blood which is transfused is always of top quality.
The blood is processed into its constituent components – red blood cells, plasma and platelets – therefore, in principle a single blood donation can save a minimum of three lives.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
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