{"id":79021,"date":"2015-01-21T11:45:00","date_gmt":"2015-01-21T09:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/79021\/become-a-regular-blood-donor\/"},"modified":"2015-01-21T11:11:02","modified_gmt":"2015-01-21T09:11:02","slug":"become-a-regular-blood-donor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2015\/01\/21\/become-a-regular-blood-donor\/","title":{"rendered":"Become a regular blood donor"},"content":{"rendered":"

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) had shown a significant increase in blood stock over the festive season.<\/p>\n

\u201cDonors showed their support during this traditionally difficult time for SANBS.<\/p>

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\u201cWe managed to get through this period without going into a shortage, and for this we say a big thank you to all who gave so unselfishly,\u201d said Vanessa Raju, communications manager of SANBS.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, there has been a massive decline in donations as we entered January 2015.<\/p>

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\u201cThis resulted in the days\u2019 cover dropping to 1.6 days.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is significantly lower than the five days blood stock that is needed to meet the demand in the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo achieve this safe level of blood stock, SANBS would need to collect 3 000 units of blood nationally on a daily basis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now that 2015 is well underway, SANBS reminds donors to adopt blood donation as the one action to take this New Year.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s campaign focuses on the SANBS slogan \u201cYour Blood Saves Lives\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe encourage all our donors to donate blood on a regular basis,\u201d Raju said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn order to recognise the tremendous efforts from our committed donors SANBS will be giving a special edition sports bag to all donors who achieve four blood donations this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

The minimum requirements to be a blood donor are:<\/p>\n