The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is desperate for every drop this March.
The organisation is making an urgent request to Roodepoort residents to support local donor centres.
According to Lebo Seatlholo, a public relations officer for SANBS, “We are not at a critical point yet, but that’s exactly what we would like to avoid.”
Seatlholo said the blood stock in the second week of March has been especially low. Dawn Matsetela, the clinic supervisor at the SANBS donor centre at Westgate Shopping Centre, added that the centre is in need of platelets to be donated. Platelets (also referred to as aspheresis donations) are often used for cancer patients who undergo chemo therapy, among other uses. A ‘whole’ blood donation can be split into red blood cells, platelets and plasma to donate to those who need it most, but residents can also donate platelets only. The process of extracting blood, extracting platelets therefrom and transfusing the rest of the blood back to the donor takes around an hour and a half.
Residents are encouraged to visit the donor centres in Roodepoort, Florida or Krugersdorp to donate. Donate a life time of stories by donating blood today, Seatlholo concluded.
Donate blood and save a life at these local donor centres:
• Roodepoort: Westgate Shopping Centre, Ontdekkers Road. 011 768 0283 or 011 768 8736.
• Florida: 31 Beacon Road, Building 5, Florida. 011 670 8600.
• Krugersdorp: Monument Shopping Centre, Voortrekker Road. 011 954 0229 or 011 954 6804.
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