Show a little love and donate blood this festive holiday

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is facing severe blood stock shortages, to the extent that there may not be sufficient available blood for patients in need over the festive season.

The SANBS is urgently appealing to all potential and existing blood donors that are due to donate, to visit a SANBS blood donation site, to donate their precious unit of blood.

In a statement from Ravi Reddy, SANBS Chief Operations Officer says traditionally, December is a difficult time for the SANBS, with limited access to corporate blood drives and availability of donors, impacting on the ability to collect the minimum of 3 500 units of blood a day that are needed to treat patients. “We approach this season with low stocks and we know that we have some tough times ahead if donors do not respond to our call to lend a hand.”

“The SANBS’ inability to access venues for blood drives is also hampering meeting collection targets successfully. As a result, blood stocks continue to dwindle steadily, therefore we appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those in need of it,” added Reddy.

Your unit of blood can save up to three lives. Here is the schedule for December clinics in and around Polokwane.