Holiday impedes blood collection
There will be a blood drive at the Toti Civic Centre on Friday, 10 April, from noon to 6pm.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is experiencing difficulty with regards to blood collections.
Currently, the blood stock at national level is 1.5 days and in KZN it is 0.9 days. There will be a blood drive at the Toti Civic Centre on Friday, 10 April, from noon to 6pm.
Almost 40% of blood collected come from schools and universities, however due to the holidays the organisation is unable to host blood drives. As many people also take a break during the same period, the blood stock levels are impacted significantly.
“SANBS needs to maintain a stock level of five days at all times by collecting 3,000 units per day to meet the demand of the thousands of patients who are reliant on blood transfusions for their survival,”communication manager of SANBS, said Vanessa Raju.
The organisation appeals to the public who meet the minimum blood donor requirements, especially blood donors who may have missed a blood donation to help boost supplies by committing to donating blood.
In order to become a blood donor you must weigh at least 50kg; be between the ages of 16 and 65-years-old; lead a safe sexual lifestyle; be in general good health and consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient.
If you wish to find out more on where to donate, call 0800-11-90-31, email customerservice@sanbs.org.za or visit www.sanbs.org.za.
