‘It was like a second transplant for me’
Remember to donate blood on 14 June at the Reformed Church hall.
Because of people like Martie Van der Walt, who at the age of 72 years had donated over 117 units of blood, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) can consistently deliver life-saving, safe blood.
Every year, South Africa observes World Blood Donor Day in June – a drive to emphasise the need for a stable supply of healthy, safe blood and blood products.
Moreover, this month-long celebration serves to thank and encourage people to commit to regular donations.
In January 2021, Mosa Mphore, a donor kidney recipient, entered the last stage of rejection.
“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 expressed joyfully.
Thousands of people with chronic and life-threatening conditions who have been given second chances at life, join the SANBS in thanking blood donors.
Thandi Mosupye, SANBS’s senior manager of marketing and communication expressed the organisation’s gratitude, saying, “The best gift you can give anyone is the gift of life.”
“SANBS applauds its regular donors, who ensure the target of 3,500 units per day is maintained. Mosupye added.
“This Youth Month, we appeal to young, healthy South Africans to also take up the cause of donating blood and make it a lifestyle choice.”
Celebrate World Blood Donor Day in Parys on Tuesday, 14 June donating blood at the Reformed Church Hall, Cnr Loop and Paulsen streets, Parys, between 12:00 and 18:00.
Every blood donor will receive a token of appreciation.
Visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31 to find out where you can support blood drives throughout June.
About National Blood Donor Month
On 14 June every year, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD).
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.
World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on the day of the birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner on 14 June 1868.
Landsteiner was a scientist who won the Nobel Prize for his great discovery of the ABO blood group system.
South Africa celebrates blood donors for the whole month of June, hence, National Blood Donor Month.
About SANBS
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is an independent non-profit organi- sation, and one of the leaders in the discipline of blood trans- fusion.
It operates in eight out of nine provinces in South Africa (except for the Western Cape, which is serviced by the Western Cape Blood Service).
It also provides crucial support to countries in the SADC region.
SANBS supplies over one million blood products annually and ranks among the top blood services in the world.
This pedigree results from world-class testing and collection protocols, ensuring that the transfused blood is always top quality.
The blood is processed into its cons- tituent components; red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
Therefore, in principle, a single blood donation can save three lives.
