Blood bank turns donor away as they were ‘packing up already’

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) runs an ongoing campaign calling on South Africans of all races between the ages of 16 and 65 to save a life and donate blood.

A campaign has been running appealing especially to O+ blood type donors to assist in the shortage of blood.

Melissa (31) and her husband Marcus (34) Stewart heeded the call and made their way to the Kempton Park blood bank on April 17, only to be rudely turned away 30 minutes before closing time.

“My husband and I watched Carte Blanche a while ago where a woman in KZN couldn’t be saved due to the shortage of two blood bags and for that reason, this situation lies even heavier on my heart,” explained Melissa.

The couple had been receiving numerous messages and calls to come and donate blood as they are both O+ candidates.

“As my husband is a pilot, he has to plan well in advance as he’s not able to fly for 72 hours after donating. We contacted the blood bank to confirm the time of closure in which the response was 5pm. I arranged to leave work earlier and we arrived at 4.30pm just to be shown the door due to them already packing up,” explained Melissa.

According to the 31-year old, she explained to the SANBS staff member that there was still another 30 minutes before closing time and that they were O+ candidates.

“I also explained that my husband wasn’t able to donate again in a long time due to his busy schedule and the rules regarding him donating.

“The woman’s response was rude and she told us that we could come back the following day, should we wish and that ‘they’ve waited all day for people to arrive’ and would not be waiting any longer. I explained that people work during the day and that I especially left work earlier to come and donate,” a disappointed and frustrated Melissa explained.

“My question at hand is, is there really a blood shortage? Does my blood really save lives? If so, why do they close half an hour earlier than they should? Why are donors treated as if the blood bank is doing the donor a favour?”

SANBS donor relations practitioner Trude Gaarekoe said the organisation had contacted Melissa and had apologised.

“SANBS apologised to the donor unconditionally for their disheartening experience. Our blood donors are our heroes and we endeavour to treat them as such at all times.

“Every donation is precious to us and without volunteer donors, who take time out of their busy schedules to donate blood, many patients would not receive the blood products they so desperately require to survive. The incident was unfortunate and it is not what we expect from our employees and the necessary steps have been taken internally to address the matter.”