Senior Manager Donor Relations at South African National Blood Service (SANBS), Monique Schreiner says there are not a lot of blood donors in the country due to fears and misconceptions of the process.

The SANBS is appealing to new donors to help maintain stocks as the new year kicks off. It has invited people to make a life-changing New Year’s resolution.

Schreiner says only one percent of South Africans are active blood donors.

“It is important that the public recognises that only one percent of South Africans are currently active blood donors and we see a changing of behaviour, we don’t have that much time to come through and donate blood perhaps unaware of the importance of regular blood donations.