SANBS appeals for more blood donations
The blood supply is currently at just 1.8 days of Group O stock.
THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) only has 1.8 days of Group O stock blood supply in the province.
The blood service is calling on donors and residents in the province to come forward to donate blood urgently, to stop cancer sufferers, people in life-threatening situations and anyone else who needs or relies on blood transfusions from being at risk.
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Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS said the blood stock in KZN is dangerously low. The blood supply is currently at just 1.8 days Group O stock, amounting to less than 200 units of O blood available around the province.
“A healthy blood stock in the province is 500 units of O blood a day. The situation, simply, is critical. We are appealing to residents of KZN – active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors – to stand together right now to bolster the regional blood stock, and we thank them, in advance, for pulling together.”
Mlambo added blood is critical for cancer patients and women in childbirth – who constitute by far the greatest groups of people requiring blood transfusions.
“So many people in life-threatening situations require blood. It’s what saves a haemorrhaging mother’s life, so that she can raise and love the baby she has just brought into the world. It’s what saves someone suffering complications during major surgery. It’s what helps cancer patients endure and survive treatment. And that’s the point: it’s not just blood. It’s saving people’s lives, through a simple, easy donation,” said Mlambo.
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The SANBS is therefore urgently appealing to residents of KwaZulu-Natal to step forward and donate blood immediately.
“More than that, however, the SANBS appeals to residents of KZN to become regular donors. By donating blood only four times a year, we can easily avoid situations such as the one in which we find ourselves,” added Mlambo.
To find out more about donating blood and to locate your nearest SANBS donor centre in KwaZulu-Natal, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.
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