Interesting facts about blood

DID you know that June is National Blood Donor Month?

Did you also know that this is when the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) experiences a decline in blood donations?

Brand and communications manager for SANBS, Vanessa Raju, attributed the low blood collection rate to the cold winter season, which comes with various disadvantages. For example, people develop flu, which compromises their immune system and makes them too ill to donate blood.

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As a result, ER24 has urged people to donate blood this June and help save lives. The emergency medical service provider also offered interesting facts about blood, which will encourage people to donate blood once they realise the importance of it.

Interesting facts about blood:

• Did you know that one unit of blood is 480ml? Just 480ml of this blood can save up to three lives.

• Blood is separated into plasma, platelets and red cells.

• The majority of collected blood goes to people with gynaecological complications, terminally ill patients and emergency cases (which includes victims of road collisions).

• Blood from the O blood group is the most needed as this donor is a universal donor. Their blood can be given to patients of any other blood group.

• Remember, blood cannot be collected and stored for when there is a shortage. Donate and make a difference.

These facts were provided by ER24.

Kempton’s blood donation centre can be contacted on 011 970 4194.