Blood stocks at critical level

“While we are celebrating this festive season, our hospitals are experiencing blood shortages due to critically low blood stock levels. This means that you could be at a risk of losing a loved one who might need a lifesaving blood transfusion or you may yourself need a blood transfusion should there not be adequate blood available. Without your donated blood, many patients are in danger of losing their lives,” said SANBS head of marketing, Charles Maharaj.

Collections in the country continue to drop drastically during this festive season, resulting in a daily average of about 1.8 day’s blood being available. This is far less than the five day stock required to be collected by the SANBS to ensure that the country’s demand for safe and adequate blood is met. SANBS needs to collect 3,000 units of blood a day to meet the country’s demand.

This is a plea to all South Africans who meet the minimum requirements to commit to donating blood, especially at this very difficult period. This act of kindness can save up to three lives.

Minimum requirements to be a donor: Be between the ages of 16 and 65 years; weigh more than 50kg; be in good health and live a sexually safe lifestyle

How to find the nearest donor centre? Contact 0800 11 9031, www.sanbs.org.za, Facebook.com/SANBS, Twitter @theSANBS