Now that winter is upon us, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) anticipates that blood stocks will fall below the desired level required for meeting daily demand.
To ensure that a sufficient supply of blood remains available for recipients affected by different medical conditions, SANBS must collect 3,000 units of blood every day. Each unit of blood could save three lives.
Donate blood on Friday, 3 June at Amanzimtoti Civic Centre from noon to 6pm and receive a token of appreciation.
In addition to hiding away from the blistering cold, donor numbers usually slump over this period because schools close over the holiday period and that is where many blood drives take place. Colds and flu are other reasons for donors being unable to donate blood.
High school pupils are a crucial group of donors. Nationally, teenagers aged 16 to 19 constitute 21% of SANBS’ total active donor base, which is currently over 430,000. They have taken the bold step to join the many men and women who go out of their way to donate blood and lifetimes that can be lived to the fullest.
SANBS urges all donors to honour their donation schedule and encourage their friends, family and colleagues to join them and become regular donors if they meet the basic requirements.
For more information on how to become a blood donor and to find your nearest donor centre, visit www.sanbs.org.
