Atholl Heights blood drive exceeds expectations
With lots of support from the public, the Westville school collected 257 pints of blood, exceeding their target of 251 pints.
ATHOLL Heights Primary School hosted a successful blood drive on Friday, June 9 and collected 257 pints of blood, exceeding their target of 251 pints.
Going into the hall, donors walked a path that was decorated by the learners with encouraging chalk-drawn statements and cute ‘blood drop’ characters, and balloons on the carports – just to put a smile on the face of the sometimes intrepid donors.
As they reached the gazebo in front of the hall, staff members and other donors welcomed the incoming donors with cheers, chats and smiles.
Also read: Donors support Pinetown blood drive
The aim was to beat the record of the school’s very own hero, Jan Storm, who is the maintenance manager and former Dog Unit Policeman.
Storm has donated 250 pints of blood to date.
The 76-year-old said he started giving blood when he was 18 years old.
“I was in the police at that time, and someone was urgently in need of blood, so I decided to help by donating and have been giving blood ever since.”
He urged people to donate blood. “It a good deed and it costs nothing. I am so thrilled with the support, and I hope that we can do this often,” said Storm.
On the day, between 40 and 50 people were brave first-timers. Every donor received a large, red SANBS tog bag.
Also read: Westville resident makes 400th donation
There were prizes for the 50th, 100th and 251st donors.
The atmosphere was festive as people from all corners of the community trickled in towards the hall.
“Some came to Westville from Durban North and Durban. We were touched by the commitment to contributing,” said acting principal Gavin Sweet.
“These are truly exciting times. I am exuberant, and so are all those who had joined him in mobilising the drive. The community really stepped up and made a dent in the blood stores. They all are heroes,” he said.
Sweet thanked everyone who made the day a success and sponsored prizes.
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