Critical blood shortage – donate today
While the Western Cape battles a severe, prolonged drought, the rest of South Africa is currently facing scarcity of a different kind – a critical lack of blood.
MOKOPANE – Blood supply in South Africa has gone down to just 1,5 days of Group O stock, according to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS). The blood service is calling on all blood donors to donate blood urgently. This can help stop cancer sufferers, people in life-threatening situations and anyone else who needs or relies on blood transfusions from being at risk. “The blood supply stock is dangerously low amounting to less than 1 500 units of Group O blood available around the country,” says Silungile Mlambo, National Marketing Manager for the SANBS. A healthy blood stock in the province is 5 000 units of Group O blood a day.
“The situation, simply, is critical. We are appealing to South Africans – active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors – to stand together right now to bolster the national blood stock, and we thank them in advance for pulling together.”
Mlambo says blood is critical for cancer patients and women in childbirth who constitute by far the greatest groups of people requiring blood transfusions.
“Blood is what saves a mother’s life, so she can raise and love the baby she has just brought into the world. It’s what saves someone suffering complications during major surgery. It’s what helps cancer patients endure and survive treatment.”
More than that, however, the SANBS appeals to residents to become regular donors. By donating blood only four times a year, they can easily avoid situations like these.
To find out more about donating blood visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31. Visit our local SANBS at 99 Thabo Mbeki Street or call them at (015) 491 4806.
