SA encouraged to become regular blood donors
The best gift you can give anyone is the gift of life – SANBS.
The South African public is urged to become regular blood donors.
This is the call from the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in light of World Blood Donor Day which was celebrated on Friday, 14 June.
Silungile Mlambo, the SANBS’s Chief Marketing Officer said every year, World Blood Donor Day highlights the need to maintain a stable supply of healthy, safe blood and blood products, while encouraging people to become regular donors. It’s also an opportunity to thank the volunteers whose donations of blood save and enhance the lives of people.
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 this year’s World Blood Donor Day theme, ‘Safe blood for all’.
“Out of South Africa’s population of 56 million people, only about 1 per cent donate blood regularly. This blood is used by every person living in this country who needs a transfusion during an operation or for emergencies during childbirth,” Mlambo said.
Mlambo added the SANBS applauded its regular donors, who ensure the target of 3 500 units per day is maintained, she adds.
“This Youth Month we are appealing to young, healthy South Africans to make donating blood a lifestyle choice.”
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 per cent is used to treat cancer and aplastic anaemia
• 27 per cent is used during childbirth
• 21 per cent is used for scheduled surgery
• 10 per cent is used for paediatric care
• 6 percent goes to laboratories
• 6 per cent is used for orthopaedic care
• 4 per cent is used for accident or trauma victims
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 them on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram(@thesanbs).
