SANBS is currently experiencing a critical shortage of blood because of the lack of blood drives it can hold at schools and universities.
Blood stocks currently stand at just 1,5 days of group O stock, equating to 1 473 units as of November 1.
“The blood stock in the country is dangerously low. The blood supply is currently at less than 1,5 group O stock, compared with a healthy blood stock of 3 000 units or five days’ supply,” says Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS.
Mlambo says blood is critical for cancer patients and women in childbirth – who constitute by far the greatest groups of people requiring blood transfusions.
Read: SANBS Journey of Blood
“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 someone’s life, through a simple, easy donation,” says Mlambo.
“More than that, however, we appeal to South Africans 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,” Mlambo stated.
“We further ask that all South Africans – active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors – to go to their local donor centre and donate blood to bolster the national blood stock.”
The next blood drives in Tzaneen are on the following dates:
• November 13 – Greater Tzaneen Municipality: 11:00-15:00
• November 14 – 15B Peace Street: 12:00-18:00
• November 15 – Letaba Estates: 13:00-15:00
• November 21 – 15B Peace Street: 12:00-18:00
• November 24 – Lifestyle Centre: 11:00-17:00
• November 25 – Lifestyle Centre: 09:00-14:00
• November 28 – 15B Peace Street: 12:00-8:00
• November 29 – Mercurius Tzaneen: 09:00-12:00
