SANBS is hosting drives across South Africa today and the rest of the month in honour of World Blood Donor Day and Month.
South Africa (14 June 2021) – Happy World Blood Donor Day! The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is always in need of new donors, so each year, we celebrate National Blood Donor Month in June to help boost donors in the country.
SANBS aims to collect an average of 3000 units of blood every day nationally. Through planned, sustainable blood drives at companies, organisations, and institutions, they can achieve this collection target.
Currently, stock levels are a mixed bag. There is adequate A+, A- and B+ types, but O+ and O- at sufficiently low, and B- are critically low. They desperately need donations from the AB- blood group too!
We often wonder how our blood helps others, and the SANBS created a useful graphic that shows which blood types help each other.
Do you know your blood type? The first time you donate to the SANBS, they will test it for you, and you will get to find out your blood type at your second donation, which can take place 56 days after the first.
Did you know: Less than 5% of blood is used as whole blood (the way you donated it). By separating the other 95% into its components, red blood cells, platelets and plasma, the unit you donated can save up to 3 lives.
SANBS is hosting blood drives all over South Africa. To find one closest to you, you can find out more via their Facebook here.
by 