Thank you, blood donors
2007-06-07
WORLD Blood Donor Day is designed to raise awareness of the need for safe blood across the globe and the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) is hosting a number of donation clinics on Thursday 14 June to encourage new donors and to thank those who help them make a difference.
A special donation session will be hosted at the WP Blood Transfusion Service’s Paarl clinic in Main Street on that day.
More than 500 000 women die every year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth - 99% of these deaths happen in developing countries.
In Africa, the risk of maternal death is 1 in 16 (compared to 1 in 65 in Asia and 1 in 2700 in North America) and severe bleeding contributes to up to 44% of maternal deaths. Up to 70% of all blood transfusions in Africa are given to children with severe anaemia due to malaria, which accounts for one in five of all childhood deaths on the continent.
Changing these statistics starts with one donation and the WPBTS urges all eligible donors to attend one of the World Blood Donor Day clinics in their area:
Any person older than 17 years, weighing more than 50kg who leads safe and healthy lifestyle (sexual and otherwise) can donate blood. Donors must remember to have something to eat before attending the clinic.
For more information, contact the Western Province Blood Transfusion Services on tel 021-507-6300, e-mail info@wpbts.org.za or visit www. wp blood.org.za.
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