Help SANBS spread cheer these holidays

Blood stocks fluctuate throughout the year and as we enter the festive season, the South African
National Blood Service (SANBS) reminds South Africans of the importance of donating blood to
aid in keeping blood stocks at safe levels.
Although the festive season is fun for most people, it is a difficult period for patients who need
blood and blood products to lead regular lives. “A large portion of our blood products are used
to treat patients with chronic illnesses. With December traditionally yielding low collections, this
could threaten peoples’ ability to enjoy their holidays should we not have the required blood
products on hand when needed,” said Thandi Mosupye, SANBS Senior Manager: Marketing and
Communication.”
To get ahead of this challenge, SANBS calls on Group O and B donors to give a unit of blood
prior to setting off for their holiday destinations. “We need to collect a minimum of 3 500 units of
blood, daily, to maintain safe stock levels. We approach this season with stocks being lower
than we’d like and we could have some tough times ahead if donors do not respond to our call
to lend a hand,” Mosupye added. Five (5) days’ blood stocks are required to sustain the
country’s need.
SANBS is calling on all donors who are due for donation to spare some time out of their day and
give the gift of life. Each unit of blood goes a long way towards ensuring that those reliant on
blood donations get to spend time with their families too.
On Tuesday, 8 November, SANBS launched the Change a Life campaign to educate donors
about platelet donation. “Platelet donors are crucial in helping us to provide much needed
products for the treatment of patients with blood disorders, cancer, and organ recipients.
Patients undergoing cancer treatment are highly dependent on regular platelet donations as
part of their recovery,” Mosupye concluded. The conversation about platelet donation
continues on SANBS’ social media pages.