Douglasdale resident honoured for donating blood 200 times over 60 years
DOUGLASDALE – Eighty-five-year-old Adrie Davidson has been honoured after she donated blood a total of 200 times over the past 60 years.
A Douglasdale resident has been honoured by the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) for donating blood a whopping 200 times in her life.
Adrie Davidson, who is now 85 years old, was honoured with a special donator’s medal commemorating 200 donations and was also given a bouquet of flowers and a red velvet cake when she visited the Fourways donor centre on 4 September as a thank you for her efforts.
“I was about 25 years old the first time I donated,” Davidson told Fourways Review.
“I was doing some gardening, listening to a portable radio that I had when I heard on the news that there had been a train accident in Roodepoort where the train derailed.
“They said they needed blood donors, so I washed my hands, got in the car and went to donate blood in Yeoville for the first time. I have O negative blood type, which means I can donate to anyone.”
In the 60 years since, despite moving around the country for her husband’s job and having children, Davidson continued to donate as regularly as possible. She donated for the 200th time on 10 May at the Fourways branch, which is closest to her Douglasdale home.
“I would recommend that more people donate blood,” she added.
“Not only are you helping people, but after I do it I do feel healthier.”
The SANBS staff were very impressed by Davidson’s service. A donor relationship manager for SANBS, Lorainn Malapisane thanked Davidson in person on the day.
“I’ve been on the other side of this, as I was in a car accident in 2005 and had to receive blood transfusions myself,” Malapisane said.
“Without people like Mrs Davidson, I wouldn’t be here.”
Davidson has also been formally invited to the next SANBS Donor for Life Awards ceremony, which will take place next year and celebrates donors who have reached important milestones in their blood donation journey.
To become a donor yourself you:
• Must be between 16 and 65 years old the first time you donate
• Must weigh 50kg or more to be able to donate blood safely
• Must be in good health and lead a low- risk lifestyle.
Details: South African National Blood Service www.sanbs.org.za
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Also check out:
https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/236271/staff-members-do-their-bit-on-world-blood-donor-day/
