IF you belong to the Type O blood group, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) needs your help in saving lives.
In a press statement, circulated last week, the organisation sent out an urgent appeal for Group O and donors to donate blood to help increase declining blood stocks.
As students, which comprise a large proportion of the national blood donor base, are focusing on their studies this exam period, this has resulted in a shortage.
Blood drives at university campuses and schools yield about 40% of the blood collected annually and although systems are in place to minimise the effects of shortages experienced during exams, blood collections have been especially low in the past few months.
“We have been experiencing very low Group O blood collections in the past several weeks, placing us under pressure across the country. The use of blood products in hospitals have also increased in the last month adding more pressure on the blood supply.
“Our stocks are approaching critically low levels and we are appealing to South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those who may need it,” said Siemi Prithvi Raj, SANBS Executive for Transfusion Donor Services and Marketing.
“Group O is considered the universal blood group because anyone – regardless of blood type – can receive it without risking a transfusion reaction.
“With the help of our donors, we have been able to carry out the monumental task of keeping our blood stocks stable, despite the challenges at hand. Our plea is that all healthy and capable donors visit their nearest donation site to donate blood,” said Raj.
The SANBS has planned various blood drives around the country, with extended hours, and weekend blood drives to improve the supply of blood during this period.
“It is only possible to meet the demand with the help of regular and committed blood donors. Blood donations go beyond just the person who receives a transfusion – its’ not just blood, it’s saving a nation,” he added.
Visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 11 9031 to find out where you can donate blood this festive season.
Follow us on Twitter @theSANBS, Facebook @SANBS and Instagram @thesanbs.
