SANBS needs your blood – find out where to donate!
NIGEL/HEIDELBERG - Following a successful run during all stages of the national lockdown, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) said it is now concerned about the recent decline in their blood stocks.
SANBS has therefore appealed to all blood donors to continue to donate blood to increase the current blood stock level. With very little blood available, this will have a severe impact on the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions.
“Whenever our blood stocks reach below two-days, it places the lives of patients at risk. The lives of a haemorrhaging mother, newborn babies, accident victims, cancer-fighting patients and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion,” Silungile Mlambo (SANBS chief marketing officer) said and added that SANBS needs to collect 4 000 units of blood a day to meet the daily demand for blood.
“This is an urgent call to all who are eligible, willing and able to donate blood to give the gift, as you have consistently done in the months that have passed,” he pleaded.
A blood donation gives patients a second chance with their loved ones. Another Christmas to remember, another summer holiday at the beach. Everyone is called to please continue to visit their nearest blood donor centre or mobile blood drive.
It’s more than just one unit of blood. It is a move that can save up to 3 lives. It only takes around 30 minutes, four times a year to make a monumental impact on the lives of others.”
To become a blood donor one 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 and commit to donating blood regularly.
The SANBS mobile blood drive will visit Nigel and Heidelberg on the following days in August:
* The Victorian Shopping Centre Heidelberg: 14, 17, 19 and 21 August (between 10:00 and 15:00)
* The Angelo Mall Nigel : 15 and 19 August (between 10:00 and 15:00)
* Heidelberg Mall entrace 5: from 24 to 28 August (between 10:00 and 15:00)
To find out more about where you can donate blood, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.
Connect with us on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs). Don’t let South Africa run out of safe blood. Donate today.
