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2010 Theme: You can be famous to someone

How can you be famous to someone?

By becoming a regular blood donor…

…And giving those in need of the gift of life, you too can become famous to someone, regardless of whom you are or where you come from. If you are not able to donate blood, encourage others to do so.

Either way:

• Become an overnight sensation,
• Reach instant stardom,
• Forget the X-Factor - you already have the A, B or O-Factor.

Sufficient blood for 2010 Soccer Extravaganza

In an effort to meet the high demand for blood in June 2010, SANBS has to ensure that there is a minimum 5 days blood stock. However, the organisation can’t do it alone.

Radio and print adverts will be appealing to the public to partner with us to achieve this goal. We can’t do it without you.

Only South African citizens can donate blood for use in the country. This means all visitors in 2010 Soccer Extravaganza are dependent on you – the South African public – to make sure there is enough blood.

Show your hospitality to our visitors, make a contribution to the big event, and commit to save a life.

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Six Times Plasma Programme
Between 100 000 and 140 000 plasma donations are required each year to supply the wide range of plasma products required by the South African population. SANBS strives to maintain high standards of excellence and quality for patients.

Plasma can be stored for longer periods than other blood components such as platelets or red blood cells. The six times plasma programme was therefore developed to improve the quality and safety of this blood component, which is used in the treatment of patients with deficiency of coagulation factors or to treat burn victims. Blood donors are therefore encouraged to donate blood six times a year, in order to ensure the continuous availability of safe plasma.

Plasma procured from regular blood donors is frozen and placed under "quarantine" for a period of at least 56 days. The plasma is only released for transfusion to patients after the donor has donated blood again and is found to be negative for all markers of transfusion transmissible diseases, namely HIV 1 & 2 antibody, HIV 1 p24 antigen, hepatitis (jaundice) C antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen and TPHA (syphilis). The programme aims to reduce the risk of transmitting an infection from a donor who is in an immunosilent "window period" for any of these diseases at the time of the initial donation.

Club 25 – The Club that gives the gift of life!
Scholars and young people under the age of 25 contribute about 15% of the million units of blood donated annually by voluntary blood donors in South Africa. SANBS has therefore developed a unique campaign for this target market, known as Club 25. This campaign promotes the importance of leading a sexually safe and healthy lifestyle and encourages members to incorporate regular blood donation into their lives.

Members are issued with a challenge to donate 20 units of blood by the age of 25. All blood donors between the ages of 16 and 25, who do not engage in HIV-related risk behaviour and are able to meet the requirements of the Club are eligible to become club members.

You can join Club 25 if you:
• Are older than 16 and younger than 26;
• Do not participate in HIV-related risk behaviour; and
• Can donate twenty units of blood before turning 26.

Club activities:
• Young people are encouraged to join when they leave school;
• Members will receive a Club 25 bag on their third donation;
• A National Club 25 Newsletter is published four times a year;
• Members are recognised for achieving their Club 25 goals at annual functions.

Bone Marrow Donation (Partnerships)
Bone marrow has to be available for patients with leukaemia, aplastic anaemia and other types of cancer. The stem cells in bone marrow are necessary for the development of red and white blood cells and platelets.

There is a 1 in 200 000 chance that your bone marrow will match somebody else’s. Since there are about 2 700 people each year who need a bone marrow transplant, the establishment of an extensive bone marrow registry is crucial to their survival.

SANBS works in conjunction with the Darren Serebro Bone Marrow Foundation, Union of Jewish Women and Groote Schuur Hospital. Potential bone marrow donors must be between the ages of 18 and 55 at the time of registration.

Potential bone marrow donors should be in good health and have no history of hepatitis or other sexually transmitted diseases.