SANBS calls for type O donations
Every unit of blood can save a minimum of three lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/105/2021/01/Db366-Copy-780x470.jpg)
SANBS (South African National Blood Service) needs your help to donate blood at your nearest SANBS blood donation centre. They are currently very low on type O bloodstock.
Less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors. A unit of blood only lasts 42 days after a donation and, for this reason, blood donors need to donate regularly. Donors can give blood as often as every eight weeks.
Every unit of blood can save a minimum of three lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
Thabang Moganedi is a 30-year-old and donated for his third time at Saveways SANBS donation centre, and he is a type O donor. WITBANK NEWS asked Thabang why he started donating blood, he replied:
“I saw an advert about blood donations and the importance of it. Some people can really benefit from your donation and your blood can save the lives of others.”
Not all blood groups are compatible with each other and the success of modern transfusion medicine depends on classifying and matching donors and patients correctly. Group O blood is known as the universal blood type, as it can be given to patients of any blood group.
All Covid-19 precautions are in place to ensure your safety at any blood donation centre.