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of 75 000 units despite experiencing an all-time increase of blood demand this festive season.

In an interview yesterday, NBSZ public affairs manager Ms Esther Massundah said they have managed to cope with the demand and a nationwide campaign has commenced to replenish their stocks.

“NBSZ is conducting a nationwide campaign to boost the blood bank through holding a community blood drive in various neighbourhoods across the country,” said Ms Massundah.

“The campaign, which started on 3 January in Harare, will stretch to other provinces on 7 January and end on 13 January,” she said.

Ms Massundah said the campaign was to kick start blood collections towards reaching this year’s target. “The major aim of the campaign is to kick start the collection of blood after the holidays. Our target for 2013 is set at 80 000 units and we hope that the campaign will put people in the gear to donate towards reaching or even surpassing the target,” she said.

She urged members of the public to participate towards the success of the campaign by donating.

“We therefore urge everyone to look out for these campaigns and be part of the blood drive initiative. Let us join hands in saving a life.

“To effectively reach this target, I encourage everyone to voluntarily donate blood at our nearest provincial centres,” said Ms Massundah

NBSZ customer relations officer, Mr Sifundo Ngwenya said the venues for the campaign in Bulawayo will vary as the campaign progresses.

“In Bulawayo, the campaign will be done at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) and the provincial offices at the corner of 4th Avenue and Robert Mugabe Way.

“The venues will change as the campaign progresses because our aim is to make sure that the campaign is closer to the people,” said Mr Ngwenya.