{"id":58478,"date":"2014-04-24T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2014-04-24T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/58478\/blood-stock-in-the-red\/"},"modified":"2014-04-24T14:18:08","modified_gmt":"2014-04-24T12:18:08","slug":"blood-stock-in-the-red","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2014\/04\/24\/blood-stock-in-the-red\/","title":{"rendered":"Blood stock in the red"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the Easter period come and gone, the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) blood stock levels have dropped.<\/p>\n

Blood stock levels become of great concern over the holiday periods with the number of accidents on South African roads rising and with many regular donors are on leave.<\/p>

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The constant demand for blood supply places the SANBS under immense pressure.<\/p>\n

Traditionally, the month of April is a difficult time owing to the number of holidays.<\/p>

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There are not enough blood drives and initiatives to fill the gaps left by the absence of educational institutions.<\/p>\n

SANBS needs to maintain a stock level of five days at all times by collecting a minimum of 3 000 units of blood per day and this becomes very difficult to achieve.<\/p>\n

“Blood donation needs to be made a priority, as this small act has a huge impact on the patients who depend on transfusions for their survival,” said Vanessa Raju, communications manager of SANBS.<\/p>\n

Blood donation is a simple act of kindness that can save up to three lives.<\/p>\n

People between the ages of 16 and 65, weighing more than 50kg, who are in good health and lead a safe sexual lifestyle, may donate blood every 56 days.<\/p>\n

The public is encouraged to donate blood to help save the lives of thousands of patients in dire need of blood transfusions.<\/p>\n

To located the nearest fixed donor sites visit www.sanbs.org.za<\/p>\n

“Don’t let holidays get in the way of life,” added Raju.<\/p>\n

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