The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) commemorates World Blood Donor Day on the 14th of June.
It is a international day of recognition of blood donors throughout the world. The theme for World Blood Donor Day this year: “Blood connects us all.”
In the face of major communicable disease epidemics South Africa has maintained a high degree of blood safety and a reliable supply of blood countrywide. South Africa is one of 65 countries in the world that gets one hundred percent of its blood from voluntary donors. The WHO’s goal is to get all countries to accept this model by 2020. In order to keep blood safe, SANBS tests each unit of blood that is collected daily for pathogens that cause HIV, Hepatitis B and C and syphilis causes, all common diseases in South Africa.
SANBS has more than 400,000 donors in their database, a number which continues to grow daily.
All it takes is 30 minutes every 56 days
Blood donation takes 20 to 30 minutes of your time every 56 days. It requires you to be between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh over 50kgs, be in good general health and lead a safe sexual lifestyle.
It does not cause you any bodily harm, since only 475ml of blood is taken, which is replaced within 24 hours.
Visit Polokwane South African Blood Service Centre at 153 Potgieter Avenue.
This is an investment that has given many accident victims, people suffering from blood-related diseases and mothers in labour the opportunity to live healthy lives.
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