IMPORTANT NOTICE: The South African Blood Services urgently needs your help

Attention all Newcastle blood donors! 

Blood supplies in KwaZulu-Natal are about to run out, with only half a day’s stock available at this time, prompting an urgent call for donors to come forward and help overcome the shortage!

“The blood stock in KZN is dangerously low. We don’t have blood that can last for the rest of the day- today. We are currently at 0.9, which is 177 units of blood and we need all blood groups to boost the stock,” said Sifiso Khoza, regional marketing manager for the South African National Blood Service (SANBS).

“A healthy blood stock level in the province is 500 units of blood a day but now we’re down to 177 units right now, which means we don’t have enough blood to last even for a day. As much as we need all blood types, blood group O is in great demand as it is universal, and can be transferable to all patients in need. The situation is critical. We are appealing to residents of KwaZulu-Natal who are active donors, potential donors and lapsed donors to help to boast the regional blood stock,” he said.

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He added that there were many people in life-threatening situations who required blood, right now. 

“It’s the cancer patients who need a regular blood transfusion, it’s the mother giving birth, it’s those who have been in accidents and it’s anyone suffering complications during major surgery,” he stressed.

“If you are able to donate blood, please do so as soon as you can. We’d like to thank you in advance for your donation. It’s not just about donating blood, it’s about saving people’s lives,” he said.

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Newcastle Donor Relations Practitioner, Shavani Sewpaul said she could not express strongly enough how urgent the need for blood was.

“I usually shy away from the word crisis, but in this case it is the only word which can describe our blood supply level.”

With the revised iron requirements, she said SANBS donor centres have had to turn away donors, causing an even more pressure on the low blood stock.

“So with schools about to write tests and then break for their holidays, we really need your help!”

All donors will receive a ‘token of appreciation’ from now on until the crisis is over.

To find out more about donating blood and to locate your nearest SANBS donor centre in KwaZulu-Natal, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.

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