SANBS thanks donors for ‘the gift of a promised tomorrow’ –
Every year in June, South Africa observes World Blood Donor Day, to highlight the importance of a steady supply of healthy, safe blood and blood products. This month-long celebration also serves to thank and encourage people to commit to regular donations.
According to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), it is able to consistently deliver safe, life-saving blood to the nation because of people like Martie van der Walt, who at 72 years old has made more than 117 whole blood donations.
Mosa Mphore, a kidney donor recipient, reached the final stage of rejection in January 2021.
My doctors decided to put me on plasmapheresis to keep my body from rejecting my kidney,” recalled Mphore, who has since undergone 10 rounds of plasma transfusions. “It was like a second transplant for me… My kidney survived thanks to the plasma and I will be eternally grateful.”
Thousands of people with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, who were given second chances at life, are joining SANBS in thanking blood donors on World Blood Donor Day. These invaluable, consistent donations have enabled people like Mphore to create more memories with his families.
SANBS’s Senior Manager for Marketing and Communication, Thandi Mosupye said the best gift one can give is the ‘gift of life’.
We know South Africans have big hearts, and we want them to fully embrace the spirit of unity embodied by this year’s World Blood Donor Day theme – ‘donating blood is an act of solidarity’. Join the effort and help save lives.”
In thanking its regular donors for helping meet a daily target of 3 500 units, SANBS is appealing to young and healthy South Africans to take up the cause. This is particularly appropriate in this Youth Month.
To find out where you can support blood drives throughout June, go to www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31. Follow SANBS on Twitter at @theSANBS, on Facebook at @SANBS, and on Instagram at @thesanbs.
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