Three donors honoured by SANBS
Benoni resident Gerhard Roos (62) was awarded for donating 425 units.
Gerhard Roos, Antony Purnell and Nicholas Daniels are in the business of saving lives and are encouraging others to become blood donors.
The trio was celebrated for collectively making a remarkable 1 075 units of platelets and plasma donation to the SANBS, on November 13.
They each received a voucher after selflessly reaching a milestone of over 300 units of platelets and plasma donations at SANBS’ Alberton City Donor Centre.
The 62-year-old Benoni resident, Gerhard Roos, was awarded for donating 425 units, while Antony Purnell and Nicholas Daniels were both honoured for donating 325 units.
Roos, who is also part of SANBS’ donor committee, said donating a unit of blood saves lives of those in dire need.
“I started in 1978 with whole blood donation and about 22 years ago I changed to platelets and plasma donation. Our plasma goes into making rabies hyperimmune vaccine.
“We normally have award functions for this celebration, but with the pandemic, it was stopped. Apparently, we might have a small function next year,” he said.
Purnell from Dinwiddie said that he is donating because he knows that people are benefitting from it.
“I have been donating for years and this was after my grandfather died of leukaemia. With platelets, one can donate every two weeks and I donate on a Sunday morning. I’m not after milestones, I’m just helping patients,” he said.
He advised the community to donate blood and platelets, especially since the festive season is fast approaching.
Daniels stressed the importance of donating blood.
“Donating is for my health and for other people who can’t help themselves. Having the lowest percentage of South Africa’s population donating is pathetic. This is a way of giving back. By giving platelets, I’m reducing my chances of having a stroke and heartache,” he said.
He reiterated that donating blood is also beneficial to a donor’s health as their blood gets to be thoroughly tested.
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