Save a life this Mandela Day

Mandela Day is on the horizon, and what better way to honour Madiba than to save a life?

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has a suggestion – how about helping to save a life by donating blood on Mandela Day?

The SANBS reminds residents that donating blood promotes the nation’s sense of solidarity, an idea which Nelson Mandela believed in strongly.

“We recognise that individuals have their chosen acts of generosity, and donating blood may not feature at the top of everyone’s list, but we encourage people to reach out to us and learn more about what to do. This may also help them to find other ways to support our endeavours to provide people with an adequate blood supply,” Vanessa Raju, SABNS spokesperson said.

Blood drives will be held across the country to honour Madiba on Mandela Day.

The SANBS needs to collect 3 000 units of blood throughout the country every day to meet the demand for blood in all the provinces, and is currently experiencing a shortage.

“We are proud to use this occasion to remind our fellow South Africans of the importance of giving blood to ensure those with various serious and often life-threatening medical conditions get the lifesaving transfusions they need,” Vanessa said.

The SANBS looks to Hoërskool Riebeeckrand’s donors annually as they donate about 27 litres of blood after the June–July school holidays. Pupils from the school last donated on 26 January, which means their 57 day rest period has passed and they can donate blood once again.

Where to donate locally:

• There is a blood bank at Monument Shopping Centre on the corner of Voortrekker Road and Monument Street, Krugersdorp.

• A blood drive will be held at the Randfonein Secondary School on 20 July, from 10am to 2pm.

• For more information about the SANBS, contact them on 0800 119 031 or visit their website at www.sanbs.org.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

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