South Africa faces critically low blood stock levels and is therefore calling on potential blood donors to help boost stocks by giving blood nationwide at their nearest donation sites.
CRITICAL BLOOD SHORTAGES IN SOUTH AFRICA
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) said the current weather conditions and a higher-than-usual demand for blood have sent blood stocks plummeting, and it needs to collect 3 500 units of blood a day.
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THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HIGHER-THAN-USUAL DEMAND FOR BLOOD SENT BLOOD STOCKS PLUMMETING
SANBS Senior Manager for Marketing, Communication, and Brand, Thandi Mosupye, said that little blood on hand will severely impact the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions.
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PATIENTS WHO RELY ON LIFE SAVING BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS WILL BE IMPACTED
“Whenever our blood stocks reach below three days, it places the lives of patients at risk — the lives of hemorrhaging mothers, newborn babies, accident victims, and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion.
“Each blood donation gives patients a second chance with their loved ones,”
Mosupye said.
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DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A BLOOD DONOR?
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.
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN DONATE BLOOD
To find out more about where you can donate blood, visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31. Connect with SANBS on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs).
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