Give the gift of life this festive season and donate blood
According to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), if there is not enough quality blood in stock, thousands of patients could die daily.
While we have all seen a blood donation station at some point, the importance of donating blood is often lost on onlookers.
When someone donates blood, they are giving a sick person a gift that money cannot buy and science can’t create – the gift of life. Just one unit of blood can save up to three lives.
According to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), if there is not enough quality blood in stock, thousands of patients could die daily. At the moment, SANBS has less than three days worth of stock of Type O blood; significantly less than the five days’ stock needed to meet the demand in the country. Type O blood is in extremely high demand, not only because it is the most common blood type, but also because Type O negative blood is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions, and for immune deficient infants.
The severe blood shortages could mean that there will not be sufficient blood available for patients who need it over the festive season.
“Traditionally, December is a difficult time for the SANBS, with limited access to corporate blood drives and availability of donors, impacting on the ability to collect the minimum of 3 500 units of blood a day that are needed to treat patients. We approach this season with low stocks, and we know that we have some tough times ahead if donors do not respond to our call to lend a hand,” said Ravi Reddy, SANBS Chief Operations Officer.
SANBS is calling on all willing and eligible donors to visit their nearest mobile or fixed donor centre. Whether you are a registered donor or if it will be your first time, one unit of your blood can make a huge difference. SANBS has also been unable to access venues for blood drives, which is adding to the steady dwindling of blood stocks. They are therefore appealing to the public to make any easily accessible venues available for blood drives.
“Our Group O blood stocks have dropped significantly and we are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those in need of it,” concluded Reddy.
For more information, to find out where your nearest donor centre is, or to organise a blood drive contact the SANBS call centre on 0800 11 9031 or visit their website www.sanbs.org.za.
Donated blood is used for:
• Surgical and cancer patients
• Women haemorrhaging due to pregnancy or other gynaecological complications
• Premature babies
• Children with severe anaemia
• Accident trauma patients
Florida Donor Centre
31 Beacon Road, Roodepoort, 1709
Phone: 011 767 9900
Email: customerservice@sanbs.org.za
Westgate Donor Centre
Westgate Road, Roodepoort, 1724
Westgate Shopping Centre
Phone: 011 768 0283
Email: customerservice@sanbs.org.za
Monument Donor Centre
244 Voortrekker Road, Krugersdorp, 1739
Monument Shopping Centre
Phone: 011 954 0229
Email: customerservice@sanbs.org.za
