Help avoid blood shortages
Durbanites are encouraged to donate blood this Easter break - you could save a life.
AS the holiday break approaches, this is traditionally a time when there are several road accidents which add to the daily demand for blood.
According to Vanessa Raju, National Communications Manager for SANBS, this is also a time when blood collection is already difficult. This comes about with regular school, tertiary institutions and business blood drives being virtually impossible to assist in sustaining a safe blood stock level to meet the demand.
“In times like this we have to appeal to donors to make their way to one of the closest blood drives or donor centres. Unfortunately when the holidays arrive, the demand does not decrease, and approximately 3 000 units of blood is still needed by patients daily and for each day we are unable to make this target, the total units of blood that is available depletes,” she said.
“Easter is often a time for family and donating blood is a great way of knowing you may be able to give someone else more time with their family,” she said.
If you are in good health and between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh more than 50kg, and you lead a sexually safe lifestyle, make your way to your nearest donor centre.
