What happens to the blood that you donate?
Those interested can visit the Amanzimtoti library on Friday, 6 July to make their donation.
World Blood Donor Day (Thursday, 14 June), South Africans with life-threatening conditions and accident survivors join the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) to encourage everyone to become a regular blood donor.
Those interested can visit the Amanzimtoti library on Friday, 6 July to make their donation.
World Blood Donor Day highlights the need to maintain a stable supply of healthy, safe blood and blood products, while urging people to become regular donors. It’s also an opportunity to thank volunteers whose donations of blood save and enhance lives nationwide.
Read this: Needle-shy donor gifts 300th pint of blood
“The best gift you can give anyone is the gift of life,” said SANBS’s chief marketing officer, Silungile Mlambo. “South Africans have huge hearts and we call on them to fully embrace the spirit of 2018’s World Blood Donor Day, themed ‘Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life’.”
According to the World Health Organisation, the theme emphasises blood donation as an act of solidarity with fellow human beings, highlighting the fundamental values of empathy and kindness which underpin the selfless act of blood donation.
“Out of South Africa’s population of 56-million people, only about 1% donate blood regularly,” said Mlambo. “In particular, this Youth Month we appeal to young, healthy South Africans to make donating blood a lifestyle choice.”
Visit www.sanbs.org.za for more information.
Join the #MissingType conversation on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs).
Info box:
A common misconception persists in SA that most donated blood goes to accident victims. This is not the case. This rough breakdown from the SANBS indicates where the blood it collects is used:
· 28% is used to treat cancer and aplastic anaemia
· 27% is used during childbirth
· 21% is used for scheduled surgery
· 10% is used for paediatric care
· 6% goes to laboratories
· 6% is used for orthopaedic care
· 4% is used for accident or trauma victims
DID YOU KNOW?
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