Celebrating blood donations this June
In honour of World Blood Donor Day, the event has been expanded for the month of June.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is celebrating the dedication of its blood donors this June.
As the country’s population grows and access to healthcare improves, the demand for blood supplies to keep people alive in medical emergencies is constantly increasing, states Michelle Kishore, Public Relations Practitioner for SANBS in the West Rand.
The South African Blood Donor Month was launched on 2 June in Johannesburg.
“Our target for 2015 is 815 509 units of blood. We will only achieve this if many of our present donors are able to increase the number of donations they make and if members of the public come forward to replace donors who have given generously over the years but can no longer do so,“ SANBS Chief Operating Officer, Ravi Reddy, highlighted.
On 14 June every year, the country joined with others across the globe to mark World Blood Donor Day and expands this event into a month-long campaign to highlight the critical importance of blood donation.
“Many of us do not appreciate the sheer range of situations in which blood plays a life-or-death role. These include everyday occurrences such as child birth and non-emergency surgery, as well as rare blood diseases, cancer treatment and major trauma. Any one of us could find that we owe our life to the generosity of a stranger who gives the gift of blood,” Reddy explained.
Save a life by visiting your nearest blood bank to donate life or visit www.sanbs.org.za.
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