Give blood on Mandela Day

THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is showing its full support for Mandela Day by reminding donors of the life-saving resource they all have running through their veins.

There are five ways in which you can take part in Mandela Day activities, namely service and volunteerism, shelter and infrastructure, food security as well as education and literacy. Donating blood is one example of how South Africans can demonstrate solidarity with each other and follow in the footsteps of the late Nelson Mandela.

“The former statesman really epitomised the great value of giving selflessly to those in need. We are proud to be able to use this occasion to remind our fellow South Africans of the importance of giving blood to ensure that those with various serious – and often life-threatening – medical conditions get the life-saving transfusions they need,” said SANBS spokesperson, Vanessa Raju.

Blood transfusions are a crucial aspect in the treatment of various health conditions such as blood-related diseases and for managing severe hemorrhage during birth, trauma and major surgery. To meet the daily demand for these patients in the eight provinces that SANBS serves, 3 000 units must be collected through blood drives and donation centres.

“We recognise that individuals have their chosen acts of generosity and donating blood might not feature at the top of everyone’s list, but we encourage people to reach out to us and learn more about what we do. This may also aid them in finding other ways through which they can support our endeavours to provide people with an adequate and safe blood supply,” says Raju.

SANBS will be running blood drives around the country to commemorate Mandela Day but donors are advised to honour their regular donation times which occur at 56-day intervals.

Give your 67 minutes today at your nearest blood bank in Central Avenue, Kempton Park.

For more information on how to become a blood donor, email customerservice@sanbs.org.za or visit www.sanbs.org.za.