It is because of people like Martie van der Walt, who at 72 years old had made over 117 blood donations, that the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) can deliver life-saving blood to the nation.
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SA observes World Blood Donor Day in June, which serves as an awareness day to emphasise the need for a stable supply of healthy, safe blood and blood products.
This month-long celebration is also to thank and encourage people to commit to regular donations.
Mosa Mphore, a donor kidney recipient, entered the last stage of rejection in January 2021.
“My doctors decided to place me on plasmapheresis to stop my body from rejecting my kidney,” Mosa remembered.
Following an initial 10 rounds of plasma transfusions, Mosa is doing well. “It was like a second transplant for me. The plasma helped to keep my kidney alive. I will forever be grateful,” he said.
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Thandi Mosupye, SANBS’ senior manager for marketing and communication, said: “The best gift you can give anyone is the gift of life.
“We know that South Africans have huge hearts and we call on them to fully embrace the spirit of unity under this year’s World Blood Donor Day theme Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives.”
SANBS applauds its regular donors, who ensure the target of 3 500 units per day is maintained.
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“This Youth Month we are appealing to young, healthy South Africans to also take up the cause of donating blood and make it a lifestyle choice,” Mosupye said.
Blood Donor Month
Every year on June 14, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day.
The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood.
The day is celebrated on the birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner who won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the ABO blood group system.
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