SANBS stock up on blood supplies ahead of Easter holidays
"This extension comes at a crucial time for the SANBS, as we look to expand our donor base and increase blood collections ahead of school closures and the Easter period," Raj added.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is excited to extend its operating hours amid an enhanced collection initiative ahead of school closures and the Easter festivities. The extension is designed to encourage donors nationwide to make use of this opportunity to step forward and donate.
“We acknowledge that the current operating hours may be constrained for some donors who are due to donate or would like to donate for the first time,” said Siemi Prithvi Raj, SANBS Executive for Transfusion Donor Services and Marketing.
The SANBS is gearing up for this historically challenging period when schools close and Easter rolls around. Since students comprise a sizeable ratio of the national donor base, school holidays have been synonymous with strained stock levels. The SANBS extended operating hours nationwide from March 4 to 15 to increase blood stocks, and will continue to do so in the coming two weeks. This allows donors flexibility to donate at times best suited for them.
Most donation sites will operate until 19:00 on weekdays to accommodate those who cannot visit during conventional operational times.
Raj added that, “With the help of our donors, we will be able to collect sufficient Group O blood, which represents the universal donor – Group O blood can be given to group A, B, AB or O patients.”
Visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 119 031 to find out where you can donate blood. Follow the SANBS on X (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) Instagram (@thesanbs) and TikTok (@thesanbs). Last week, they held numerous clinics at St James Church, Orange Grove Dairy and Boulevard Centre, where 98 units were received from the community.
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