Community members encouraged to donate blood

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is aware of the mounting unrest in the country
during this especially difficult third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak.

“As a result, these pockets of violence and instability may potentially affect donor centres and our mobile blood donor centres negatively.

“Some scheduled blood drives may need to be cancelled or postpone to more suitable dates and times. We anticipate this will continue to negatively affect our blood collections for as long as they continue as we will not be able to collect sufficient blood units that were scheduled for this time,” said Terrence Pillay, donor relations practitioner.

He stressed with the rising Covid-19 infection rates, the national blood bank is anticipating added pressure on blood stocks in the incoming weeks.

“The safety of our donors is important to us, and we implore everyone who is willing to visit our donor centres to exercise increased vigilance to ensure their own safety.

“We strongly advise continuing to visit our donor centres to donate blood only if it is safe to do so. Where protest action has had no effect, our operations are continuing as normal and all measures are being taken to protect our employees, donors and all stakeholders. Donors in affected areas are urged to take caution and delay donation until it is safe to do so,” he added.

Furthermore, the Advertiser visited the Sunward Park Lifestyle Centre on July 13, where the SANBS hosted a mobile blood drive.

Pillay explained the national blood bank’s target was to collect 20 units of blood and they managed to collect 13 units.

Visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 11 9031 to find out where else you can donate blood.

Follow SANBS on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs).
To be eligible to donate blood, 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
• Commit to donating blood regularly

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