Every year on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD).
The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood. WBDD is celebrated every year on the day in 1868 when Karl Landsteiner was born. It brings a precious opportunity to celebrate donors on a national and global level, and to commemorate the birthday of Karl, who won the Nobel Prize for his great discovery of the ABO blood group system.
According to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), these commemorations are an opportunity to call on more people to take up the cause and become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood regularly.
Silungile Mlambo, SANBS chief marketing officer, said millions of South Africans need blood transfusions each year in order to lead healthy lives.
If it weren’t for voluntary blood donations, who knows what people would have done to get blood when they needed it? Who knows how many people would have had access to safe blood when they needed it?”
Silungile added that this year, WBDD finds us facing a unique set of circumstances not seen in many years.
“Even amidst a pandemic, our annual observance has in no way lost its significance and importance. With hordes of people receiving coronavirus treatment in hospitals, the need for blood has not slowed down.
“The 14th of June is a day that is particularly close to our hearts. We work tirelessly each year to ensure that safe and affordable blood products are available to our fellow countrymen, and we cannot negate the monumental role played by all our committed donors. We thank donors for their selfless acts, and so do the recipients of their blood.”
To find out more about where you can donate blood, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31. Connect with them on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs). Don’t let South Africa run out of safe blood. Donate today.
This is where your blood goes:
SANBS said there is a 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 per cent goes to laboratories
• 6 per cent is used for orthopaedic care
• 4 per cent is used for accident or trauma victims
