Blood stocks at a critical low
With the South African National Blood Service's (SANBS) blood stock at a critical low, many people's lives and futures could be at stake
Your blood donation literally means life or death for those relying on it – the woman giving birth, a cancer patient or the person undergoing open heart surgery.
With the South African National Blood Service’s (SANBS) blood stock at a critical low, many people’s lives and futures could be at stake.
ALSO READ: SANBS campaign set to boost low blood stocks
SANBS’ national blood supply is currently at 2.4 days’ supply for blood group O, amounting to just over 2 113 units of O blood while in KZN, the supply is on 1.5 days’ stock.
There needs to be at least a five day supply of stock on hand to meet the demand. Making a desperate appeal to the public, SANBS Donor Relations Practitioner Dennis Ngongoma urged donors to step up and donate today.
‘The situation, simply, is critical. We need South Africans – active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors – to come forward right now to bolster the national blood stock.
‘So many people in life-threatening situations require blood.
‘It is what saves that haemorrhaging mother’s life, so she can raise and love the baby she has just brought into the world. ‘It is what saves someone suffering complications during major surgery, and helps that cancer patient endure and survive treatment.
‘And that is the point: it’s not just blood. It is about saving people’s lives through a simple, easy donation.
‘More than that, however, SANBS appeals to South Africans to become regular donors. By donating blood just four times a year, we can easily avoid situations such as the one in which we find ourselves,’ said Ngongoma.
Members of the public, businesses and organisations can also make venues available for blood drives – suitable spaces, accessible and open to the public.
Contact the Richards Bay blood bank at Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre on 035 789 3610 for more information on donating blood.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
