SANBS holds blood donations drive in Midrand Centre

The South African National Blood Services urged people to donate blood following their blood donation drive in Midrand.

The three-day drive was held at the Boulders Shopping Centre from January 6 to 8.

National Blood Services communications officer Khensani Mahlangu said, simply put, your blood saves lives. “There is currently no substitute for blood and nothing that can be manufactured that can replace the blood needed for transfusion. Your one unit of donated blood can save up to three lives,” said Mahlangu.
“Blood group O is always in high demand because these donors can give blood to all recipients. We call them universal donors. There are eight main blood groups. It must be said, however, that there are individuals that fall in rare blood groups that do not fall into the eight main donor groups.”

She said the drives were scheduled weekly and donors who were interested in finding mobile blood drives could call the toll-free number 0800 119 031 to find the nearest drive in their area.

Donor Thomas Lepota from Rabie Ridge said he had been a regular donor since 2012 and he donated four times a year.
“That means I donate every quarter of the year and I am a blood Group O type which is most needed. I have personally never had an experience with someone close to me dying due shortage of blood. All I am doing is just trying to help the next person,” said Lepota.

Another donor Maziya Sibeko from Ivory Park said, “I started donating in 2021. This is my sixth time donating blood and it feels good that lives will be saved. I am Group O blood type.”

“I am just playing my part as an active citizen because doing the good deed doesn’t cost you anything. I am a Group O type and in the process of donation, you do not lose anything at all and it takes just a few minutes,” Tonny Brown from Rabie Ridge concluded.

All donors were given tokens of appreciation which included two movie tickets per person.

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SANBS Blood Drive at Midrand Circles Market