Loyal donors honoured for saving lives
Several donors received milestone medals for their loyal contributions to saving the lives of those in dire need of blood.
LYDENBURG – The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) held its annual donor awards ceremony for Lydenburg on Friday October 17 at Amani Boutique Hotel.
Several donors received milestone medals for their loyal contributions to saving the lives of those in dire need of blood.
Whanita Parkes, SANBS public relations practitioner, said the ceremony was their way of showing appreciation to the contributors.
The medals were categorised into donating milestones, which are calculated according to the number of blood units donated.
Medals were given for every 25 units, from the 50th milestone onwards.
Kobus Meyer (51) donated the most blood out of the people who attended the ceremony. He started donating in 1983 and has been doing so every year since.
“When I was in the army I donated blood and saved my friend,” he said. Meyer reached his 125-unit milestone this year.
For every pound you save three lives. “Every time I donate blood I save lives, imagine how many lives I have saved since I started donating.”
The service is currently experiencing a shortage and has supplied 14 hospitals.
Lizelle Kleinhans received a medal for her 50th milestone. According to Klein, giving blood is about making a difference and it is healthy.
Unfortunately, for another donor, Grant Roode, his journey of donating blood has ended, and he will not be able to donate blood due to health reasons.
Roode says he feels bad about knowing he will never again be able to help people. “Most people are scared to give blood and they don’t have to be, since it is just a little pinprick, but it can save lives.”
“We urge the public to donate before going away for the Christmas holidays, so that we may have enough to help those in need,” said Parkes.
