ONE BLOOD DONATION CAN SAVE 3 LIVES

By: Zukhanye Qabe 

Twitter handle: @JustZukhanye

Email: zukhanyeqabe11@gmail.com

“It’s been a few weeks since we managed to keep our blood stocks high and on the safe

levels. Our blood donors kept their promises and came through to support us.”

Nothando Sithole told the Turbine news on Tuesday. The SANBS also revealed that last year they were experiencing severe blood shortages and that place lives at risk and it is estimated that 5000 people were potentially affected by this issue.

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SANBS has also launched The Good Hood campaign to bring blood donation to the people and to reach donors with their communities. “The launch of The Good Hood campaign comes at the time when individuals are kneeling down at home to avoid increasing their risk of COVID-19 infection while donating the blood.” said Avela Masoka, SANBS senior manager of marketing and communication.

 Taking 30 minutes in a blood centre is an easy way to save lives and give others a second chance to live, but it is a different story for those who don’t donate blood because they fear needles. 

SANBS wants to change that through The Good Hood campaign. It is because of people like Nosipho Cebekhulu who is 65-year-old that has made over 117 blood donations, that the SANBS is able to consistently deliver the life saving safe blood to the nation. “I have donated over 117 times, and I ham so grateful that I get to save someone’s life.” she said. Thousands of people with chronic and life-threatening conditions who have been given second chances at life. 

These donations have given people like Tsebo Radebe the opportunity to make more memories with their families. Those who are group A and AB and between the ages of 18 to 65 years are eligible to donate plasma every two weeks, to a maximum of 24 times a year. 

Women make up over 45% of the national donor base and many women lives have been saved through blood transfusions. The knows the extent to which the lives of women and family members can be changed through transfusions. Some of that blood issued is used in childbirth and gynaecological emergencies.