More active blood donors needed to keep supply flowing

Ahead of World Blood Donor Day on Saturday, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and a specialist surgeon have made an appeal for more people to give blood regularly to ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply in the healthcare system.

SANBS communications manager Thandi Mosupye stressed the important role donor blood plays during surgical procedures.

“During many surgical procedures — especially complex ones such as organ transplants, trauma interventions and cardiac surgeries — patients can experience significant blood loss,” Mosupye told TimesLIVE Premium.

“In such cases, donated blood is vital for stabilising the patient, maintaining blood pressure, delivering oxygen to vital organs, and supporting overall recovery. Without a safe and readily available blood supply, even routine surgeries could become high-risk.”

According to the SANBS, every unit of donated blood is a powerful resource, as it can be separated into specific components to meet diverse medical needs:

• Plasma contains essential proteins and clotting factors, crucial for patients with bleeding disorders or those undergoing massive transfusions.
• Platelets are critical for managing bleeding and are often used in the treatment of trauma, cancer and leukaemia patients and recipients of bone marrow transplants. It’s important to note that platelets have a shelf life of only five days, making regular donations especially important.
• Red blood cells are the most frequently transfused component, commonly used for patients with anaemia due to cancer treatment, trauma or chronic illnesses.

“We are proud to report we are currently well-positioned to meet South Africa’s blood product needs. However, the demand is ongoing. In addition to whole blood donations, we encourage eligible donors — especially those with A and AB blood types — to consider donating plasma or platelets through a specialised process called apheresis.”

• A single unit of blood donated can save a minimum of three lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.

• A donor can give blood as often as every eight weeks.

• Blood donation supports many surgical procedures which include cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, surgical oncology, gynaecological surgery and complicated medical conditions such as anaemia, cancer, haemophilia and sickle cell disease.

• In South Africa, less than 1% of the population are active blood donors — and each unit of blood lasts only 42 days after collection, 

• Donors must be between 16 and 75, healthy and weigh at least 50kg.

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This will allow the SANBS to collect specific components while returning the rest of the blood to the donor, said Mosupye.

“Though the process takes slightly longer than a regular donation, it enables donors to contribute more frequently and have a targeted impact on patients in critical need.”

The SANBS currently has an active donor panel of about 600,000 — those who presented for donation in the past 12 months. 

From all donations, about 17% come from first-time donors and 60% of the first-time donors are aged 16-30.

Dr Vinesh Padayachy, a vascular surgeon at Lenmed eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre, said blood donation plays a crucial role in supporting many surgeries, including vascular surgery — which involves procedures performed on arteries and veins.

“Blood transfusions are often necessary to replace blood lost during these surgeries,” he said.

Padayachy said in some instances during surgery, patients can experience significant blood loss. “This would require transfusions to maintain adequate blood volume and oxygen delivery to tissues.”

According to Padayachy, vital blood donations can assist hospitals in ensuring they have sufficient supplies for patients undergoing vascular surgery and other procedures. 

“Blood donation also provides various blood components, including red blood cells, plasma and platelets, which are used to address specific needs of patients, such as those with clotting problems or severe blood loss.”

He said donor blood is especially important to patients with rare blood types and encouraged South Africans who meet the requirements to donate.

“Donating blood once can save the lives of three people and will have no longer-term effect on the donor’s health. It is important for blood donors to donate regularly and for blood services to increase the donor pool.”