Essential diversity in blood donations for saving lives in South Africa
As Heritage Day on September 24 approaches, the SANBS invites South Africans to celebrate our rich cultural diversity by becoming regular blood donors, ensuring a steady and healthy blood supply for everyone.
As South Africa prepares to celebrate Heritage Day on September 24, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) shines a light on an often-overlooked yet crucial aspect of our heritage: the diversity of our blood supply.
Heritage Day serves as a moment to recognise and honour the vibrant mix of cultures that shape our nation. This diversity is vital for maintaining a healthy and sustainable blood supply. Blood, which is essential for life, comes in various types and groups, reflecting both our shared and distinct ancestries.
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While many are aware of the four primary blood groups A, B, AB, and O, some individuals possess rarer blood types that are more common among specific ancestral groups. For those individuals, locating a compatible donor can be difficult. However, for patients who frequently require blood transfusions or apheresis, a procedure where blood components are extracted with a machine and the remaining blood is returned to the body, matching blood types closely is essential to prevent complications.
A close phenotypic match of blood reduces the chances of adverse reactions, making transfusions safer and more effective. Thus, it is crucial that our blood donor base represents the ethnic and racial diversity of our nation, ensuring that all South Africans have access to suitable donors when needed.
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Currently, less than 1% of South Africans actively donate blood, presenting a significant challenge as a unit of donated blood has a shelf life of only 42 days. The SANBS strives to keep a five-day supply of each blood type to guarantee availability for patients. This encourages regular donations, ideally every eight weeks.
This Heritage Day, the SANBS urges all South Africans to embrace our unity in diversity. By committing to become regular blood donors, you honour your heritage while playing a vital role in saving lives. Let’s commemorate our diverse cultures by giving the gift of life. Our blood, in all its forms, has the potential to save lives.
The importance of each donation is immense. One unit of blood can be divided into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets, potentially saving at least three lives. Picture celebrating Heritage Day not only by appreciating the diverse cultures around us but also by contributing to the health and unity of our nation through blood donation.
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