World Blood Donor Day: The need for blood donations has not slowed down

TO mark World Blood Donor Day this year, why not visit your local blood donor centre or mobile clinic to donate your pint of blood?

This year, World Blood Donor Day, observed annually on 14 June, finds us recovering from a unique set of circumstances that brought the world to its knees.

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Even amid the Covid-19 pandemic, annual observance of this day has in no way lost its significance and importance. With hosts of people still receiving blood transfusion in hospitals, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) says the need for blood has not slowed down.

World Blood Donor Day is a global celebration of millions of people throughout the world who give their blood on a voluntary, unpaid basis to save the lives of those in need.

The day aims to raise awareness of the need for safe blood, to thank and honour those blood donors who make transfusion possible, and to encourage regular blood donation by suitable donors.

Transfusion of blood and blood products helps save millions of lives every year. It can help patients who suffer from life-threatening conditions to live longer and with a higher quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures.

Donating a unit of blood can save up to three lives of patients in dire need of blood. Becoming a regular blood donor ensures the safety of blood is maintained and makes it possible for SANBS to collect sufficient safe blood to meet the demand.

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