When last have you donated blood? If you’ve been a dedicated blood donor before the pandemic shenanigans but haven’t been there since then, Monday, 14 June is the date to get back into action executing some citizen responsibilities… not that you’re forced to. Still, the health industry would much appreciate it!
If you’ve never donated blood ever, mark World Blood Donor Day as the day to help raise awareness of the importance of donating blood. Blood levels are critically low, and the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) needs your help in preventing a blood shortage crisis.
SA Blood Levels Are Low
Only a shockingly 1% of South Africans are active blood donors… The SANBS needs to maintain a bloodstock level of 5 days for each blood group to ensure sustained blood availability for patients in need. Now you might have opinions such as ‘What do I get out of this?’, ‘I’ll donate blood if I get paid for it.’, ‘If the government helps me to consume all the foods my body need to produce efficient blood to donate, I’d consider it.’, etc.
This might seem like fair debates, but we want to encourage you to imagine if you or one of your family members or friends finds themselves in the situation where they desperately need blood to survive (touch wood, this not to be the case ever), but they can’t get any because there just isn’t blood to give. Would this be blamed on the paramedics, doctors and nurses?!
As with any unforeseeable future situation, preparation and prevention are key. So, let’s choose to donate whether you’re saving a family member’s life or that of a fellow citizen. It’s for a good cause.
Donate and Save Lives
Blood is a precious resource that anyone can give to someone in need. It’ll take you less than an hour to donate 1 unit of blood, a little bit more if you donate platelets, which can save a minimum of three lives. Take the 2-minute quiz to see if you can save three peoples’ lives today!
If you qualify, then hop onto SANBS’ map to find the nearest donation location to you. If you’re in Sandton Central now, pop into the Craighall Donor Centre during the day or any other day –
- Monday: 09:00 – 18:00
- Tuesday: 09:00 – 18:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 – 18:00
- Thursday: 09:00 – 18:00
- Friday: 09:00 – 18:00
- Saturday: 08:30 – 14:30
- Sunday: 08:30 – 14:30
They are situated in Colony Shopping Centre, 349 Jan Smuts Ave, Randburg. If you have any questions whatsoever, you may contact them on 011 447 6665 or customerservice@sanbs.org.za.
Or you may consider motivating your employer to host a blood drive at your offices for the convenience of all staff members.
If you either can’t donate blood or can’t find the time, spreading the word about the importance of World Blood Donor Day can be hugely impactful. Tell your friends, family, colleagues, and social media followers how vital blood donations are. Many people are unaware of how easy the process is, so word-of-mouth is incredibly helpful in inspiring future blood donors.
Quick Facts
- There are eight blood types and are A, B, AB and O, and they come in either positive or negative Rh Factor (a genetically inherited type of protein found on the outside of red blood cells.)
- People with Type O negative blood are universal donors with blood that anyone can use.
- An average adult has about 10 to12 units of blood in his or her body.
- Blood is made up of 4 elements and is divided into red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, all floating in plasma. There are also whole blood donations, platelets donations, and plasma donations.
Let’s action a single gesture that can create a million smiles, Sandton!
Read more articles on special days celebrated by Sandton Central.
