#MissingType campaign encourages new donors
JOHANNESBURG - The #MissingType campaign, supported by the SANBS in South Africa, encourages new young donors to donate blood.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) will take part in the #MissingType campaign on 16 August which aims to attract new, young blood donors.
The campaign is calling for the donation of O-negative blood as this blood can be transfused to any person. However, all blood groups are required in order to ensure adequate stock.
In a survey for the #MissingType campaign, participating blood services saw a 30 percent drop in first-time blood donors from 2005 until last year.
Silungile Mlambo, senior marketing manager of SANBS said, “Blood transfusions save lives and transform health for millions across the world. But they are dependent on people donating blood. Whether it is patients receiving treatment for cancer, blood disorders, after accidents or during surgery, or new moms who have lost blood in childbirth, blood is an absolutely essential part of modern healthcare.
“We really hope that people living in South Africa will be inspired by the #MissingType campaign and start saving lives by becoming blood donors. It’s incredibly easy and painless to donate blood. [One can] simply visit one of 86 donor sites or 66 mobile teams in the country.”
You can start donating blood from the age of 16 if you weigh more than 50kg and lead a sexually safe lifestyle. The SANBS wishes to remind people that one must never donate blood to receive a free HIV test as it places lives of patients at risk.
To sign up as a new donor, visit sanbs.org.za to find your closest donor site. Support the campaign on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #MissingType.
