High schools support SANBS blood drives with much enthusiasm

High schools in Polokwane are maintaining a friendly competitiveness among them to see which school can donate the most blood units to the SANBS this year.
Last Tuesday the SANBS held a mobile blood donor clinic at Capricorn High School (CHS) and in spite of it being matric exams there were still quite a lot of donors, according to Irma van der Merwe, the school’s blood donor organiser. “Thanks to our team of ‘blood buddies’, learners who volunteer to assist during blood donor clinics and also advocate blood donation, our blood donor clinics are always well supported,” she said.
Hoërskool Pietersburg (PHS) had their turn last Wednesday and did not disappoint. Zelda van Jaarsveld, the school’s blood donor organiser learners are always eager to donate blood. “Our ‘blood buddies’ are doing a sterling job and we always have first-time blood donors eager to do their bit for saving lives,” she said.
SANBS Limpopo donor educator, Bongiwe Shitlhangu sang the praises of all the Polokwane-based high schools that regularly host blood donor clinics. “There is a friendly camaraderie between the schools, and at the end of the year we award the schools with the most blood units donated,” she said, adding that the SANBS is always in need of blood.

Story and photos: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za