The local branch of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) called upon the community to help them by donating blood.
Ms Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager of the SANBS, said: “While the Western Cape battles a severe, prolonged drought, the rest of South Africa is currently facing scarcity of a different kind – a critical lack of blood.”
Blood supply in South Africa has gone down to just 1.5 days of group O stock.
By donating blood, a donor can stop cancer patients, people in life threatening situations and anyone else who needs blood transfusions of being at risk.
“The blood stock is dangerously low.
“A healthy blood stock is 5 000 units of O blood daily.
“Our situation is critical.
“ We are appealing to South Africans, active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors to stand together right now to bolster the national blood stock, and we thank them in advance for pulling together.
“It is not just blood, it is saving people’s lives, through a simple, easy donation,” said Ms Mlambo.
She urged residents to become regular donors.
“By donating blood only four times a year, we can easily avoid situations such as the one in which we find ourselves in,” said Mr Mlambo.
For more information, contact Teksa Blood Service at 017 631 1652 or visit your nearest donor centre.
For free daily local news in the South, visit our sister newspapers Highvelder, Standerton Advertiser
For more news and interesting articles, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram
