Saving lives is donating blood

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and Global Citizen today announced a partnership to highlight the importance of donating blood #ForLife on October 11.

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SANBS public relations practitioner Sini Subrayen said they will partner with Global Citizen to motivate young South Africans to donate blood in order to earn tickets to the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, a free-ticketed event at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on December 2.

“Most South Africans will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. Alarmingly, less than one per cent of South Africans regularly donate blood. One person donating blood can save a minimum of three lives,” said Subrayen.

“Adding to this, a whole generation is being lost to the donor community due to ageing and accompanying health challenges. With an older generation unable to donate, millennials and younger adults are increasingly crucial to our country’s future blood sustainability,” he said.

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“Despite SA’s youth forming almost 50 per cent of the population, we are critically low on donors. To increase donations we have partnered with Global Citizen to engage the youth to donate between now and November 22 to earn tickets to the Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100.

“It is our sincere hope that they will continue to donate once the Mandela 100 campaign is over and truly prove themselves as the generation that saves lives,” said the spokesperson for the SANBS, Silungile Mlambo.

“Health is a basic need and those living in extreme poverty rely on government resources to help them when necessities like blood transfusions are needed. Reserves in South Africa are at critically low levels, those who are not able to go to private hospitals suffer the most. We are thrilled to support this initiative and encourage Global Citizens to make regular blood donations their responsibility.

“It just takes 20 minutes, and with blood drives all over the country, it’s never been easier. “What’s more, one unit of blood can potentially save three lives,” said Thato Noinyane, manager of Global Citizen Partnerships.

To earn tickets to the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 donors can take action and give critically needed blood. Participants can visit any SANBS donor centre or mobile drive in South Africa until November 22.

“By donating blood during this time, SANBS blood donors stand to earn two tickets each, including flights (for donors outside of Gauteng), accommodation with dinner and breakfast and transfers to and from the festival,” said Subrayen.

For full details on how and where to donate to earn your tickets, visit www.sanbs.org.za

Winners will be contacted via telephone on November 26.

For more information, please engage with SANBS and Global Citizen on Twitter and Facebook, using #ForLife @TheSANBS #GlobalCitizenFestivalSA #BetheGeneration

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