Though the persistent threat of Covid-19 has seen many major local and international events cancelled during 2020, the SANBS and Algoa FM were determined to find alternatives for the ever popular and life-saving annual blood donation challenge, known as Algoa FM Bloodline Day, to continue.
“This at a time when blood donations have declined and blood stocks are not at optimal levels,” said Maryke Harris, SANBS donor relations practitioner.
The promotion has been adapted and extended to run over five days instead of one. It started on Monday, July 6, and ends on Friday, July 10.
This will ensure that proper social distancing can be maintained at all times.
The target for the week will be 1 000 units of blood for the Eastern Cape, including the George branch of the Western Cape Blood Service, which forms part of the Algoa FM broadcast area. A detailed list of blood drives and operating hours will be published on the Algoa FM website’s features page.
Algoa FM will give regular updates throughout the week, counting down the blood donations, in order to reach a massive 1 000 units of blood by the end of the week.
“With more relaxed lockdown measures in level three compared to level five, the healthcare system is under severe pressure, due to the sharp increase in Covid-19 infections.
“The virus cannot be transferred through blood,” Harris said.
SANBS is appealing to all blood donors to schedule a specific blood donation appointment, in order to keep the process safer for everyone involved.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Donor appointments are strongly advised, to reduce waiting periods and possible crowding at sites
- Make an appointment with Joan Hattingh at 041 391 8225 between 08:00 and 16:00 or e-mail maryke.harris@sanbs.org.za
- Give your preferred date and time, and expect a reply within 24 hours to confirm appointment
- Wearing of face masks remains compulsory. Any person who has successfully recovered from Covid-19 is encouraged to join many others, including SANBS CEO Dr Jonathan Louw, to participate in the Convalescent Plasma study by signing up on www.sanbs.org.za.
The SANBS remains committed to live up to its ‘Trusted to Save Lives’ mission, and relies on healthy members of the public to donate a unit of blood during Algoa FM Bloodline Week this week until Friday, July 10.
