Donate blood on World Blood Donor Day

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has pleaded with South Africans to donate blood on World Blood Donor Day on 14 June.

According to a statement released by the service, each year, millions of South Africans need blood transfusions to lead healthy lives. “This year, World Blood Donor Day finds us facing a unique set of circumstances not seen in many years. Even amidst a pandemic, our annual observance has in no way lost its significance and importance. With hordes of people receiving coronavirus treatment in hospitals, the need for blood has not slowed down,” read the statement.

The South African National Blood Service celebrates this annual observation which focuses on the contributions of selfless blood donors who contribute towards the health and well-being of others. Moreover, these commemorations are an opportunity to call on more people to take up the cause and become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood regularly.

Once again, SANBS commits to celebrating and extending heartfelt gratitude towards all of their blood donors.

The chief marketing officer of the service, Silungile Mlambo, said, “The 14th of June is a day that is particularly close to our hearts. We work tirelessly each year to ensure that safe and affordable blood products are available to our fellow countrymen and we cannot negate the monumental role played by all our committed donors. We thank donors for their selfless acts, and so do the recipients of their blood.”

The statement continued, “It is worth noting that the involvement and support of blood donors is most effective when individuals commit to donating regularly. The task of getting donors to commit regularly is a great challenge and we hope that through hearing and reading shared stories from people whose lives have been saved by blood transfusions, people are motivated to adopt regular blood donation.”