Calls for donations amid dwindling blood stocks
Each blood donation gives patients a second chance with their loved ones.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is facing severe blood stock shortages.
Current weather conditions and a higher than usual demand for blood have sent blood stocks plummeting.
SANBS needs to collect 3500 units of blood a day and is urgently appealing to all potential and existing blood donors that are due to donate, to visit a SANBS blood donation site, to donate their precious unit of blood.
SANBS Senior Manager: Marketing, Communication and Brand, Thandi Mosupye, said: “With little blood available on hand, this will have a severe impact on the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions. Whenever our blood stocks reach below three days, it places the lives of patients at risk. The lives of haemorrhaging mothers, newborn babies, accident victims, and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion.”
She added that each blood donation gives patients a second chance with their loved ones.
“Another Christmas to remember, another summer holiday at the beach, another birthday celebration. To become a blood donor, you must be between the ages of 16 and 75 years, weigh 50kg or more, be in good health, lead a healthy lifestyle, consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient, and commit to donating blood regularly,” she said.
To find out more about where you can donate blood, visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.
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