THE South African National Blood Services (SANBS) have been hard at work to avoid blood shortages this winter.
However, with all efforts in place it seems the cold weather has been keeping blood donors away.
According to Vanessa Raju, communications manager for SANBS, the winter months are a difficult time due to schools and universities being on holiday. Increase in illnesses such as the flu virus has also had a great impact on blood collection, which places the SANBS under immense pressure to collect safe and good quality blood products.
“SANBS needs to maintain a blood stock level of five days at all times by collecting 3000 units of blood per day to meet the demand of the thousands of patients who are reliant on blood transfusions for their survival. However at the moment we have only 1.5 days of blood stock available on a national level,” added Raju.
It is only with the help of the selfless blood donors that the SANBS will be able to ensure that patients who are reliant on blood transfusions will be able to receive it.
SANBS is appealing to people, particularly to its regular donors to not miss out on their next donation date and to other members of the public who meet the minimum requirements to become a blood donor, to help boost supplies by committing to donating blood.
“Also Friday 18 July, Mandela Day, is a perfect opportunity to spend your 67 minutes donating blood. Your donation can save lives,” said Raju.
To qualify as a blood donor, you need to be between the ages of 16 and 65 years, weigh 50kg or more, be in good health and lead a sexually safe lifestyle.
Contact 0800 11 90 31 to find the nearest blood donor clinic.
