Blood donations save lives
The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) was present at the Fonteine Springs Fees on Friday and Saturday.
They received 18 units on Friday and 36 on Saturday.
This forms part of their Missing Type campaign which brings together 25 blood services from 21 countries.
There is a particular need for new donors with O negative blood which can be transfused to anyone.
These donors are referred to as “universal donors” .
However, all blood types are required to ensure adequate stocks at all times.
Key barriers to people donating blood identified by blood services around the world include: Increasing urbanisation, wider and more exotic travel, people have less time to give in an increasingly busy and digital world, lack of awareness about the need for more diverse blood donors and a rise in the popularity of tattoos.
Sillungile Mlambo, SANBS senior marketing manager says blood transfusions save lives and transform health for millions across the world.
“But they are dependent on people donating blood.
Whether it is patients receiving treatment for cancer, blood disorders, after accidents or during surgery, or new mothers who lost blood in childbirth, blood is an absolutely essential part of modern healthcare.”
He hopes people living in SA will be inspired by this campaign and start saving lives by becoming blood donors.
“It’s incredibly easy and painless to donate blood,” says Sillungile.
However, donors need to be 16 years old, weigh 50kg and lead a sexually safe lifestyle.
Anyone interested in becoming a donor can simply visit the Blood Bank in The Avenues Shopping Centre.
