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As the country continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted life as we knew it, the need for blood products is rapidly starting to increase. The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) remains committed to keeping our promise to save lives.
Despite the extraordinary response from our generous regular donors, who have responded loudly and proudly to our calls for support, we are experiencing shortages owing to the scarcity of mobile blood drive venues. COVID-19 restrictions have severely limited our ability to collect adequate blood stocks, particularly because we are not able to access schools, colleges and corporates for blood drives.
“At the SANBS, we are doing our utmost to continue to maintain adequate blood stock levels to service the needs of our country. The high demand for blood requires that we work even harder together to ensure that no lives are lost due to blood shortages,” said Mr Ravi Reddy, Chief Operations Officer. “Booking group donations and hosting mobile blood drive events is another meaningful way to engage your network to save lives,” Mr Reddy added.
Every donation makes a difference. While some South Africans may not be able to donate, they can assist us in collecting much-needed blood. In our networks of friends, families and colleagues there will always be someone who is able to donate blood. Partner with us and lend a hand in ramping up our recruitment efforts by urging healthy, eligible blood donors to donate and help prevent shortages.
The SANBS has continually maintained and implemented safety and wellness measures at our donor centres and mobile blood drives across the country, for the protection of our staff and donors alike.
“In years past, our partners and community-minded supporters have kept us going. Through setting and meeting collection goals together we have been able to meet the constant demand for blood,” Mr Reddy, concluded.
Visit the SANBS website to book a mobile blood drive and for more information. Alternatively, you can contact our call centre on 0800 11 9031.
About the SANBS
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is an independent non-profit organisation, and one of the leaders in the discipline of blood transfusion. SANBS operates in eight out of nine provinces in South Africa (with the exception of the Western Cape, which is serviced by the Western Cape Blood Service). It also provides crucial support to countries in the SADC region.
SANBS supplies over one million blood products annually and is rated among the top blood services in the world. This pedigree comes, as a result of world-class testing and collection protocols which ensure that the blood which is transfused is always of top quality.
The blood is processed into its constituent components; red blood cells, plasma and platelets therefore in principle a single blood donation can save up to three lives.
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