SANBS backs Mandela Day with blood donation drive
JOBURG – Residents are urged to show their support for Mandela Day by donating blood.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is throwing its weight behind Mandela Day by urging residents to get involved with the organisation and help save lives.
The service will host regular blood donation drives during July in honour of Nelson Mandela and is urging the public to not only help by donating blood, but also to learn more about the work done by the non-profit organisation.
Vanessa Raju, SANBS spokesperson, stressed this by encouraging residents to learn more about how they could get involved with the organisation and help it carry out its duties.
“We recognise that individuals have their chosen acts of generosity and donating blood might not feature at the top of the list, but we encourage people to reach out to us and learn more about what we do; this may also aid them in finding other ways through which they can support our endeavours to provide people with an adequate and safe blood supply,” Raju said.
Raju also explained why the organisation chose to support Mandela Day, saying that it was because of the late statesman’s firm support and encouragement of selfless acts.
Five ways residents can get involved with SANBS above and beyond donating blood include service and volunteerism; shelter and infrastructure; food security; as well as education and literacy.
The organisation will run blood drives around the country to commemorate Mandela Day, but reminded donors to honour their regular donation times which occur at 56-day intervals.
Additionally, residents interested in becoming blood donors can contact the organisation to find out where their nearest donor centre is located.
Details: email customerservice@sanbs.org.za; 0800 11 903; www.sanbs.org.za
