Donating blood is an act of solidarity

“A donation of blood means a few minutes to you, but a lifetime for somebody else.” Anon

Staff from Pple Group pledged their support to saving lives by participating in two recent blood donation drives. Some 40 staff donated blood in July and September 2022, saving an estimated 120 lives in the process.

Pple Group gets behind World Blood Donor Day on 14 June every year, reminding staff, clients and the public of the importance of donating blood.

The World Health Organization (WHO) oversees blood donation efforts globally and the slogan this year was, “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives.” In South Africa, blood donation is managed by the SA National Blood Service (SANBS), which operates across South Africa, and the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS).

Fast facts:

• You can donate blood every 56 days (8 weeks)
• A unit of blood only lasts 42 days after donation
• Every unit (475ml) of blood can save at least 3 lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets
• Blood types are A positive, A negative, B positive, B negative, AB positive, AB negative, O positive, and O negative, with O positive being the most common blood type, which can be given to patients of any blood group