Netcare uMhlanga Hospital, East Coast Radio and the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) aim to break a KZN blood-drive record of collecting 300 units of blood at a single venue in a space of a day. The blood drive takes place on November, 22 2019 outside the uMhlanga Medical Centre, 7am– 7pm.
The current record, held by same, was set earlier this year at the hospital’s first blood drive where 251 units of blood were collected.
According to Sara Nayager, GM of Netcare uMhlanga Hospital, 336 had been screened during the inception blood drive.
“This is our third blood drive for the year and our goal is to set the bar even higher. Donating blood is a selfless act and what makes it even more special is the fact that you can do so much for so many people with such little effort, your one unit saves up to three lives,” she adds.
Netcare uMhlanga Hospital and East Coast Radio have extended a blood donation challenge to the public and businesses throughout KZN. In order to maintain and meet the demand of the thousands of patients in need of blood transfusion, SANBS needs to collect 3300 units of blood per day.
Visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31 to find out where you can donate blood on World Blood Donor Day. Join the on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs).
For more information, contact 031 560 5500 or www.netcare.co.za
Info box:
This is where your blood goes
There is a common 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% is used to treat cancer and aplastic anaemia
- 27% is used during childbirth
- 21% is used for scheduled surgery
- 10% is used for paediatric care
- 6% goes to laboratories
- 6% is used for orthopaedic care
- 4% is used for accident or trauma victims
About the SANBS
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is an independent non-profit organization, and one of the leaders in the discipline of blood transfusion. SANBS operates in eight out of nine provinces in South Africa (with the exception of the Western Cape, which is serviced by the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service). It also provides crucial support to countries in the SADC region.
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.
