Richards Bay blood bank calls for donors ahead of festive season

BLOOD stocks countrywide are at a low 3.4 days’ supply and the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is appealing for donors to boost supply ahead of the festive season.

Local donors are urged to visit the Richards Bay Blood Donor Centre at Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre and help bring levels to a healthy five-day supply.

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SANBS strives to collect 3 000 pints of blood a day, but during the holiday period, they do not have access to schools, universities and corporates, which traditionally contribute to stock.

The donor centre is open weekdays from 9am to 4.30pm, and Saturdays from 8.30am to 1.30pm. It takes less than 30 minutes to donate blood!

To become a blood donor, you must:
• Be between the ages of 16 and 75 years
• Weigh 50kg or more
• Be in good health
• Lead a healthy lifestyle
• Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient.
For more information, contact the Richards Bay SANBS branch on 035 7893610.

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