SANBS calls on donors as the need for blood escalates
Dottie Pinn from the Polokwane Blood Bank says the situation is critical.
POLOKWANE – Easter is on the way and the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) calls on all residents to be heroes, help save lives and donate blood as soon as possible.
“Our national blood supply is currently at just 1.6 days’ Group O stock, amounting to just over 1 500 units of O blood available around the country and it is no different in Polokwane,” said Dotti Pinn from the Polokwane blood bank.
“The situation, simply, is critical. We need all our active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors to stand together right now to bolster the national blood stock.” she added.
The looming Easter long weekend, when many South Africans drive long distances and road accidents increase, will certainly put additional pressure on the national blood supply. However, Pinn points out that incidents of trauma make up only a fraction of the demand for blood.
“The woman giving birth; the cancer patient; the man undergoing open heart surgery; the Easter weekend road accident victim. All of these people and those who love them rely on one thing, blood donations. Their lives, their futures, are at stake. But all blood stock is currently desperately low, and all of them are at risk,” she said.
The SANBS is therefore making an earnest appeal for South Africans to step forward and make a donation of blood as soon as possible.
“More than that, however, the SANBS appeals to South Africans to become regular donors. By donating blood only four times a year, we can easily avoid situations such as the one in which we find ourselves,” Pinn said.
People interested in donating can contact the Polokwane blood bank on 015 283 3610 or visit the Polokwane SANBS branch at 153 Potgieter avenue.
