SANBS in desperate need of blood
"We are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those who may need blood or blood products during this period.”
The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) has encouraged community members to donate blood.
The service is urgently calling on blood type O and other blood type donors to donate blood to meet demand.
Scheduled blood drives at universities, businesses and on other sites yield a significant amount of the units of blood collected annually and although the SANBS has systems in place to minimise the effects of shortages.
However, there has been an increasingly high demand for blood in hospitals leaving Group O blood stocks at a low.
Also read: Mondé takes to the stage
As a result of the low blood stocks, the SANBS is appealing to members of the public to visit the nearest donor centre as soon as they can.
To try to meet demands SANBS will host a blood donation drive at Greenstone Shopping Centre’s ABSA Court.
The donation drive started on December 17 and will end on December 31.
Community members can donate blood between 11am and 5pm between December 17 and December 23.
Between December 24 and December 31 community members can donate blood between 11am and 3pm.
SANBS chief marketing officer, Silungile Mlambo, said their O blood type is low.
Group O is considered the universal blood group because anyone, regardless of blood type, can receive type O blood without risking a transfusion reaction.
“We are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those who may need blood or blood products during this period,” said Mlambo.
Visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 11 9031 to find out where you can donate blood this festive season.
Also follow us on:
