Urgent need for blood donors to come forward

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is facing serious blood stock shortages due to current weather conditions and a higher-than-usual demand for blood.

SANBS requires 3500 units of blood every day and is urging all potential and present blood donors who are scheduled to donate to go to a SANBS blood donation facility and donate their precious unit of blood.

“With little blood available on hand, this will have a severe impact on the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions,” said Thandi Mosupye, SANBS senior manager: marketing, communication and brand. “Whenever our blood stocks reach below three days, it places the lives of patients at risk; the lives of haemorrhaging mothers, newborn babies, accident victims, and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion,” Mosupye added.
Each blood donation provides patients with a second chance to spend time with their loved ones; another Christmas to remember, another beach vacation, another birthday party.
To become a blood donor, you must:
• Be between the ages of 16 and 75;
• Weigh 50kg or more;
• Be in excellent health;
• Lead a healthy lifestyle;
• Believe your blood is safe for transfusion to a patient;
• Commit to donating blood on a regular basis.

For more information on where you may give blood, go to www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 11 90 31.
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