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| Sunette Burger, Yolandi Harmse, Piet Mankie and Brandon van Zyl (grade 11) |
Donated blood is a lifeline for many people
needing long-term treat- ments, not just in emer-
gencies.
gencies.
While one unit of blood can save up to three
lives, only one in a hundred eligible South Africans are regular blood donors.
In order to meet the demand for blood in South
Africa, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) must collect an
average of 3 000 units of blood a day.
However, while one unit of blood
can save up to three lives, the fact is that less than 1% of eligible South
Africans are regular blood donors.
A donor can donate blood every 56 days, but
because blood lasts only 42 days after donation, regular donors are essential
for sustainability, as there are far fewer donors than recipients, resulting in
blood always being in short supply. It is vital not to view a donation as a
once-off exercise. (health24)