SANBS stocks up ahead of school and Easter holidays
SANBS will therefore extend operating hours nationwide from March 4 to March 15, 2024, to increase blood stocks.
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.
“This extension comes at a crucial time for SANBS as we look to expand our donor base and increase blood collections ahead of school closures and the Easter period,” Prithvi Raj added.
SANBS is gearing up for this historically challenging period when schools close and Easter rolls around.
Since students comprise a sizeable proportion of the national donor base, school holidays have been synonymous with strained stock levels.
SANBS will therefore extend operating hours nationwide from March 4 to March 15, 2024, to increase blood stocks.
This allows donors flexibility to donate at times best suited to them. Most donation sites will operate until 19:00 on weekdays to accommodate those who cannot visit during conventional operational times.
Prithvi Raj added, “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 SANBS on X (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS), Instagram (@thesanbs), and TikTok (@thesanbs).
