The blood service has called on the public to urgently donate Type-O blood as it battles strained blood stocks.

The SA national blood service (SANBS) spokesperson Thandi Mosupye said blood stocks were significantly low while demand was growing.

According to its website, the service needs to maintain five days of blood stock for each group to ensure sustained availability for patients in need.

Currently, the blood bank has less than 2.8 days supply for Type-O and 4.9 days for Type-B.

Mosupye said the service needed all the help it could get from current and potential donors, especially the Type-O which can make a big immediate difference to the low blood bank.

“Moreover, we ask residents to become regular donors. By donating blood we can easily maintain safe stock levels throughout the year,” she said.

The service recently launched a campaign #TheColourOfBlood aimed at embracing diversity and the power to save lives.

To donate, you should be between the ages of 16 and 75, weigh more than 50kg and be in good health.