SANBS asks: Be the reason someone is home for the holidays

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is calling on groups O and B donors to give blood at their nearest donor centre and help boost the declining blood stocks.

“The rain brings a welcomed relief from the heat of weeks passed, but its persistence could threaten our operations – resulting in low collections. This means that we will not be able to meet the minimum of 3 500 units collected daily,” said Thandi Mosupye, SANBS senior manager: marketing and communications. Rainy conditions often lead to the cancellation of mobile blood drives, which account for the majority of the blood units collected daily.

The SANBS has appealed to donors who are due for donation, to spare some time out of their day and give the gift of life.

“We need your help to stabilise our stock levels, especially as we prepare for the festive season,” Mosupye said. She advised that donors could even donate during load-shedding, as all SANBS donor centres are electrified during blackouts.

At the beginning of November, the SANBS launched the Change a Life campaign that educates donors about platelet donation.

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“Platelet donors are crucial in helping us to provide much-needed products for the treatment of patients with blood disorders, cancer and organ recipients. Patients undergoing cancer treatment are highly dependent on regular platelet donations as part of their recovery,” Mosupye concluded.

The conversation about platelet donation continues on the SANBS’ social media pages.

With the help of donors, the SANBS has been able to carry out the significant task of collecting blood to meet South Africa’s need. Your unit of blood will give a needed boost to blood collections for the holidays. Mobile blood drives continue to run across the country. Visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 9031 to find a mobile blood drive or donor centre near you and give blood.