Here’s how you can save a life today
Group O is considered the universal blood group because anyone — regardless of blood type — can receive type O blood without risking a transfusion reaction.
“It really is an awesome thing to do,” says blood recipient, Sunita Morar.
She received blood in August 2019 due to a haemorrhage during labour.
Thanks to a blood donor, Sunita was able to survive and be a mother to her new-born baby.
Sunita – and thousands of other patients who incur trauma related incidents have a second chance at life because of the generous donations made by South Africans.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is urgently calling on Group O and donors to donate blood to meet demand.
ALSO READ: Commit to giving the gift of life this festive season
Scheduled blood drives at universities, businesses and on other sites yield a significant amount of the units of blood collected annually and although the SANBS has systems in place to minimize the effects of shortages, there has been an increasingly high demand for blood in hospitals leaving Group O blood stocks at a low.
As a result of the low blood stocks, the SANBS is appealing to members of the public to visit the nearest donor center as soon as they can.
“We are experiencing a high demand of blood from hospitals and are in serious need of blood donations across the country. Our Group O blood stocks are approaching a low. We are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those who may need blood or blood products during this period,” says Silungile Mlambo, SANBS Chief Marketing Officer.
Group O is considered the universal blood group because anyone — regardless of blood type — can receive type O blood without risking a transfusion reaction.
Mlambo says, “The best gift you can give anyone is the gift of life. We know that South Africans have huge hearts and we call on them to fully embrace the spirit of Ubuntu by giving their blood donation today”.
The SANBS has planned various blood drives around the country with extended hours and additional weekend blood drives to ensure a stable supply of blood during this period. However, it is only possible to meet the demand with the help of regular and committed blood donors. Blood donations go beyond just the person who receives blood – its’ not just blood, its saving a nation.
Here is a schedule of where blood drives will be taking place in NKZN for the month of November:
November 8 – Newcastle Corner Mall and Vryheid.
November 11 – Dundee.
November 12 – Mittal: Admin and Majuba TVET I.T and B Campus.
November 13 – Glencoe and Village Walk.
November 14 – Mittal: CMS and Niemeyer Hospital.
November 15 – Ezakheni Plaza and Scott Street Mall.
November 16 – The Oval (Ladysmith).
November 18 – Majuba Mall.
November 19 – NTT Ladysmith and Mittal: Block 2.
November 20 – Dundee and Ladysmith hospitals.
November 21 – Newcastle Municipality and Boston.
November 22 – Mediclinic and Dundee Boulevard.
November 23 – Nquthu Plaza and VUMA FM.
November 25 – Village Walk.
November 26 – Madadeni Hospital.
November 27 – Mittal: BOF.
November 28 – Glencoe.
November 29 – Murchison Mall.
November 30 – Newcastle Corner Mall.
ALSO READ: Blood donors rewarded for giving the gift of life
Contact us
WhatsApp: 082 874 5550
Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za
Make sure you follow us for regular updates:
