The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has dedicated June to celebrating blood donors.
This year the SANBS honours the essential contribution donors make to keeping people, and communities, healthy.
The SANBS would like to honor all donors for their life-saving blood donations over the years and acknowledges the significant impact that their contributions have had.
In June, awareness is also increased regarding the critical need for blood to save the lives of patients in hospital.
It serves as a call to action for more people to contribute to saving lives by donating blood regularly.
The SANBS normally struggles to meet the need for blood during the winter, due to donors suffering from common colds and flu, as well as having limited access to schools and universities during school holidays. The strain on the blood supply impacts patients relying on blood transfusion and undermines the preparedness to handle unforeseen emergencies, creating an alarming ripple effect at healthcare facilities.
Donating blood is a safe process that takes only 30 minutes.
The SANBS urges all eligible and healthy individuals to visit their nearest donation site and contribute to this life-saving cause. Every donation matters and holds the power to save lives, and each contribution is a lifeline to someone desperately in need.
The SANBS would like to encourage the community of Kroonstad to visit the Kroonstad Donor Centre situated at the Checkers Centre, on weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00 and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 14:00.
People can help to avoid a blood shortage crisis by donating one unit of blood.
Your blood saves lives.
To donate blood on the new system for the first time, a copy of the donor’s identity document must be presented; and they must be between the ages of 16 and 75, weigh more than 50 kg and be in good health.
