Help prevent a blood shortage this Easter
Easter is often a time for family and donating blood is a great way of knowing you may be able to give someone else more time with their family.
As we approach the holidays, we know this is a time when there are several road accidents, which add to the daily demand for blood.
It is also a time when blood collection is already difficult as regular blood drives at schools, tertiary institutions and businesses are virtually impossible to assist in sustaining a safe blood stock level to meet the demand.
“In times like these we have to appeal to donors to make their way to one of the closest blood drives or donor centres. Unfortunately when the holidays arrive, the demand does not decrease, and approximately 3 000 units of blood per day are needed by patients. For each day we are unable to make this target, our blood stock becomes depleted.
“We understand many people will be busy or going on holiday over this period, but it only takes about 30 minutes of your time to make a huge difference to others in need of blood. Easter is often a time for family and donating blood is a great way of knowing you may be able to give someone else more time with their family” said Vanessa Raju, National Communications Manager of the SANBS.
If you are in good health and between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh more than 50kg and have a sexually safe lifestyle, make your way to your nearest donor centre.
To find out where your nearest donor centre is visit www.sanbs.org.za, call toll free 0800 11 9031 or sms your name and post code of the area you live in to 31454 and they will sms you the details of your nearest blood donor centre.
