Communication official at Vosloorus SAPS Capt Piet Rossouw said Vosloorus SAPS, CPF and other stakeholders have chosen to donate blood because they take saving people’s lives seriously.
“We don’t only fight crime in Vosloorus, we also save lives. This is what we are trying to show to people out there.
“The Easter holidays are around the corner. A lot is happening during this time of the year. Many accidents occur and people lose a lot of blood,” said Rossouw.
Rossouw said he wanted to donate blood but was unable to because he is an active cyclist.
“The nurses told me not to donate because I am going to participate in a race in less than a month. And I am going to participate in three races within three days,” said Rossouw.
Kholeka Yawa who works as a social worker at Vosloorus Police Station said she was donating blood for the fourth time.
“It always feels good after donating. I am happy because someone who needs help is going to get it. I am more than happy that the blood that I donated today will save someone’s life out there.
“This motivates me to stay healthy because if I am not healthy I won’t be able to donate,” said Yawa.
Nozipho Mcaba from Extension 28 in Vosloorus said she was going to donate for the first time.
“I was happy when I was on my way here. But now I am very disappointed because, I was unable to donate because I have low blood pressure and they were unable to find vein that they were going to use to draw blood from me.
“I feel bad because I wanted to help,” said Mcaba.
Mpho Matlala from Katlehong Gardens is also a first time donor.
She said women need blood the most.
“As a woman myself I realised that women lose a lot of blood during birth.
“It is important to donate blood so that those women can get help out there.
“I would like to encourage people to come and donate unless they have health issues that prevent them from donating. In future it might be you who needs blood.
“Your own blood can save you,” said Matlala.
Sgt Precious Ntuli, a crime analyst at Vosloorus SAPS, said there was a time in her life when she needed blood.
“In March 2014, I gave birth to a premature baby. I was six month pregnant when I gave birth. I had a lot of complications. As a result I needed 12 litres of blood. My little one needed four litres of blood.
“I was saved by community members who donated blood. I decided to donate blood today because I know that I can save a life like someone else saved my life,” said Ntuli.
Ntuli said if there was no blood at that time she would have died together with her newborn baby.
Cyntia Boshielo from SANBS Boksburg said there is a shortage of blood at blood bank.
“We have stock that can last for only a day and a half.
“All blood types are needed. We are at a critical stage, especially as we are going to Easter holidays. We will need more blood as it is a busy time of the year,” said Boshielo.
Itumeleng Sephapho, a professional nurse at SANBS Boksburg, said donating blood is not painful.
“People must come and spend only 30 minutes of their time and save lives,” said Sephapho.
Also Read: Urgent appeal to donors to donate blood
