Pretoria - The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) has enlisted the help of local celebrities to get more South Africans to donate blood.
The local television and radio personalities will act as patrons for blood donation by participating in public campaigns, appear at blood drives and feature in magazines and newspaper articles.
The launch of the programme on Thursday coincides with Blood Donor Month, celebrated by the SANBS every year in June as well as the World Blood Donor Day on 14 June.
The primary reason for Blood Donor Month was to acknowledge and honour blood donors who are providing the strongest foundation for a safe and sustainable blood supply.
South African National Blood Services spokesperson Justice Mohale said that as South Africans see their heroes committing to giving blood that could save lives, they will consider doing so themselves.
"The role they will play in creating awareness around blood donation will assist in helping the organisation to maintain a safe and sufficient blood supply," said Mr Mohale.
South Africa needs 3 000 units of blood a day in order to meet the demands of cancer and leukaemia treatment, childbirth and gynaecological cases, surgery, research, paediatric cases, orthopaedic cases, malaria, blood diseases and casualties.
Blood is also needed for many car crash victims.
Every unit of blood which is donated by a member of the public can save up to three lives.
Currently, less than one percent of the adult population donates blood and SANBS would like to see this change, he said.
"Blood stock in the country is not enough, which is why we keep appealing to the public to come forward and donate, if we have blood that will last for between five and seven days, then we will say we have enough.
"Traditionally, this time of the year [in winter] we experience a serious shortage of blood, mainly because some of our regular blood donors may be delayed as a result of flu and colds.
"SANBS always encourages all South Africans, irrespective of race, colour, gender and religion to give the gift of life," Mr Mohale told BuaNews.
There is no substitute for blood, and blood can only be replaced with blood, the patients mentioned will die if there is no blood to substitute the one that's been lost.
He explained that when blood is donated; a single "whole blood" donation may help as many as three patients. Each unit of blood can be separated into various components - red cells, plasma and platelets - and given to patients with different needs.
Mr Mohale urged people to come forward and donate blood during this period and save someone's life. "It just takes only 30 minutes to give someone else a lifetime, your blood saves lives."
