While South Africans celebrate, travel, and toast to the year that was, the demand for blood does not take a holiday.

Leading up to the busy festive rush, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) calls on the nation to join the its Paint the City Red’ campaign by donating blood to help save lives.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Richards Bay Christmas garden invites families to give while enjoying festive fun

One donation can save up to three lives, making blood donation the most powerful festive gift of all.

Zululanders are urged to visit the Richards Bay Blood Donor Centre at Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre to help keep stocks at a healthy five-day supply.

Less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors, and donors can give blood as often as every eight weeks.

SANBS strives to collect 3 000 pints of blood a day, but during the holiday period, they do not have access to schools, universities and corporates, which traditionally contribute to stocks.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Empangeni opera student to host recital

Every unit of blood can save a minimum of three lives, as the precious life-giving resource is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.

Minimum requirements to be a blood donor:
• You are between the ages of 16 and 75 years for first time donors
• You weigh a minimum of 50kg (55kg for platelet donors)
• You are in good health
• You lead a low-risk lifestyle
• You consider your blood safe for transfusion
• You have had a balanced meal within four hours prior to donating blood
• You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (or platelets in the last 14 days)
• Your pulse is between 60-100 regular beats per minute
• Your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) (180/100mmHg), and above 100 systolic (first number) and above 60 diastolic (second number) (100/60mmHg)
• Your haemoglobin level is 12.g for women and 13.g for men /dL or above

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY