Every time this year our medical personnel are under immense pressure to provide life-saving treatment with limited supplies of blood available! Many South Africans who donate blood regularly are are heading off to holiday destinations and are either not planning ahead to donate or they are unaware where they can make such a donation. It is of the utmost importance that we assist with information on the need for these donations and to join other corporates who support these life-saving initiatives.
We would like to share some important insights on blood donations:
- The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) aims to collect 3000 units of safe blood per day, to ensure that we can meet the demand by the patients of South Africa.
- SANBS currently has a donor panel of 478 000 donors of which 390 000 are active donors which is less than one percent of the country’s population.
How do I become a blood donor?
To become a blood donor – you need to:
- Be between the ages of 16 and 65
- Weigh more than 50kg
- Be in good health
- Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient
- Lead a sexually safe lifestyle
OUTsurance staff has made a significant impact this year by donating 1122 units of blood so far this year. That means that more than 3000 lives could be touched by the generous contribution from the OUTsurance employees.
Read more about these efforts: Outstanding effort from staff to help SA out by donating blood!
For more information contact our call centre on 0800 11 9031 or visit our website on www.sanbs.org.za.
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