SANBS reward dedicated blood donors
"By donating blood, you give a priceless gift, the gift of life" Willem van der Merwe, SANBS marketing manager.
POLOKWANE –Â The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) held their annual award ceremony at Airport Africa Lodge recently to honour all the dedicated donors who make a big difference with every unit they donate.
“SANBS would be lost without dedicated people who want to make a difference by donating blood and thus saving lives. We value each and every single donor for their contribution” Dottie Pinn, SANBS public relations practitioner.
32 donors were awarded with milestone gifts for their loyal contributions.
Awards are divided into eight milestone categories awarded according to the amount of units donated. A milestone is awarded for every 25 units of blood donated, each unit being 500 ml of blood.
All donors who donated 20 units of blood before the age of 25 received the Club 25 award, following which they received an award for every 25 units donated thereafter.
Norman Brown, Andries Keyser and Pereira Sheena received Club 25 awards, Jacobus Engelbrecht received a standing ovation for donating the most units in the city.
Engelbrecht has donated 212 units thus far, he donated his first unit when he was 18. Engelbrecht was awarded the Leeuwenhoek medal for his lifelong contribution.
Businesses and organisations were also acknowledged as friends of the service and they received a token of appreciation during the ceremony.
SANBS Donor Awards at Airport Africa Lodge, 13 Nov (PHOTO GALLERY)
The minimum requirements to be a blood donor are:
• Be between the ages of 16 and 65 years;
• Weigh a minimum of 50kg;
• Be in general good health; and
• Live a safe sexual lifestyle.
Should you meet the above requirements and wish to find out where you can donate blood, visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 11 9031.
“When you donate blood you don’t only make a difference to the patient who receives the blood, you make a difference to the patient’s whole family. By donating blood, you give a priceless gift, the gift of life” Willem van der Merwe, SANBS marketing manager.
