Save blood for saving mothers
Some blood donor centres on the East Rand will be open for all women wishing to donate blood and save a life on Women’s Day this Saturday, August 9.
During Women’s Month, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) theme is ‘safe blood for saving mothers’.
The theme will increase awareness about why timely access to safe blood and blood products is essential for all countries as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent maternal deaths.
Every day, about 800 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. Almost all of these deaths occur in developing countries.
More than half of them occur in sub-Saharan Africa and almost one third in South Asia. The risk of maternal mortality is highest for adolescent girls under 15 years of age.
Research indicates that about 36 per cent of blood collected by SANBS is used for women who lose blood during childbirth, in gynaecological cases and in paediatric cases.
The following blood donor centres are open on Saturday:
* East Rand Square donor centre: Bentel Avenue, Bartlett, Boksburg. Contact 011 826 5844.
* Kempton Park donor centre: 20 Central Avenue, Kempton Park. Contact 011 970 4194.
* Benoni donor centre: 14th Avenue, Northmead. Contact 011 425 6766.
A purse mirror will be given to all women who donate.
To find the nearest donor centre call 0800 119 031 or visit www.sanbs.org.za or search for SANBS on Facebook or Twitter. – @IschkeBoksburg
