While the Western Cape battles a severe, prolonged drought, the rest of South Africa is currently facing a scarcity of a different kind \u2013 a critical lack of blood.<\/p>\n
Blood supply in South Africa has gone down to just one-and-a-half days of Group O stock, according to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS).<\/p>
The blood service is calling on all blood donors to come forward to donate blood urgently, to stop cancer sufferers, people in life-threatening situations and anyone else who needs or relies on blood transfusions being at risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe blood stock is dangerously low.<\/p>
\u201cThe blood supply is currently at less than 1 500 units of Group O blood available around the country,\u201d said Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS.<\/p>\n
\u201cA healthy blood stock is 5 000 units of Group O blood a day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe situation, simply, is critical.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are appealing to South Africans \u2013 active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors \u2013 to stand together right now to bolster the national blood stock, and we thank them, in advance, for pulling together.\u201d<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Blood donors recognised for helping to save lives<\/a><\/p>\n Malaria is a preventable threat to SA\u2019s blood supply<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mlambo said blood is critical for cancer patients and women in childbirth \u2013 who constitute by far the greatest groups of people requiring blood transfusions.<\/p>\n \u201cSo many people in life-threatening situations require blood.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s what saves a haemorrhaging mother\u2019s life, so that she can raise and love the baby she has just brought into the world.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s what saves someone suffering complications during major surgery.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s what helps cancer patients endure and survive treatment.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s the point – it\u2019s not just blood.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s saving people\u2019s lives, through a simple, easy donation,\u201d said Mlambo.<\/p>\n The SANBS is, therefore, urgently appealing to South Africans to step forward and donate blood immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cMore than that, however, the SANBS appeals to residents to become regular donors.<\/p>\n \u201cBy donating blood only four times a year, we can easily avoid situations such as the one in which we find ourselves,\u201d said Mlambo.<\/p>\n To find out more about donating blood or to locate your nearest SANBS donor centre, visit sanbs.org.za<\/a> or call 0800 11 90 31.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or Puleng Sekabate (journalist) pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n