Urgent call for blood donors as stock level drops drastically

The festive season is upon us and with it comes an increase in road accidents – which often urgently require an urgent need for blood.

According to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), there is only 3.5 days of blood left, with platelet stock levels sitting at 0.3 days.

With less than one per cent of South Africans actively donating blood, now is the time for all eligible donors to come forward and play their part in saving a minimum of three lives.

WATCH: SANBS Journey of Blood

A unit of blood only lasts 42 days after donation and, for this reason, it is important for blood donors to donate regularly.

Donors can give blood as often as every eight weeks.

Make sure to get to the Ballito Library before 6pm on Tuesday, December 11, or to Linc Church between 8.30am and 2pm on Tuesday, December 4 to do your bit and donate blood for SANBS.

You can also visit the SANBS branches. Directions and their operating hours can be found HERE.

Minimum requirements to be a blood donor:

• You are between the ages of 16 and 65 years old, for first time donors.
• You weigh a minimum of 50 kgs (and platelets a minimum of 55 kgs)
• You are in good health.
• You lead a low risk lifestyle.
• You consider your blood safe for transfusion.
• You have had a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood.
• You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (and platelets in the last 14 days.)
• Your pulse is between 50-100 regular beats per minute.
• Your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) (180/100mmHg) and above 100 systolic (first number) and above 60 diastolic  (second number) (100/60mmHg).
• Your haemoglobin level is 12.5 g/dL or above.

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