The SANBS depends on donors to maintain a regular inflow of blood. While regular donors remain the mainstay of this process the service also relies heavily on blood clinics which give first time and irregular donors the opportunity to donate blood.
Mall of the North has been a consistent and loyal partner of the service in this regard and hosts a number of blood drives each year. During a recent five day drive 57 units of blood were collected.
Dottie Pinn, SANBS Limpopo Public Relations Officer said the service issues more than one million blood components annually.
“The service employs various educational strategies to inform members of the public and regular blood donors of issues pertaining the supply of sufficient, safe blood. The message of safe blood is disseminated through local and national media or conducting educational talks,” Pinn said.
Blood donor recruitment in South Africa is based on a World Health Organisation endorsed programme which specifies the selection of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.
“Low-risk blood donors are identified as volunteer blood donors who give blood solely to help those in dire need of blood,” she said.
Story and photos: Alet-Elize van Jaarsveld
>>alet-elize@observer.co.za
Featured photo: Blood donor Chané Olivier is assisted by Nelly Serumula, Donor Care Officer and Registered Professional Nurse of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) Limpopo who makes sure Olivier’s blood pressure is in order.
