Cullinan residents donate blood
With help from Ward 100 Clr Bekker the SANBS collected blood at the Reformed Church.
The Reformed Church in Cullinan hosted the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) earlier this month with the help of Ward 100 Clr Johannes Bekker, who actively supported the blood drive.
The SANBS aims to collect an average of 3 000 units of blood every day nationally. It is through planned, sustainable blood drives at companies, organisations and institutions that they can achieve this collection target.
Blood drives give donors the opportunity to become involved in making a difference to others. According to the SANBS, less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors.
Only about 5% of all donated blood is used as whole blood. By separating the other 95% into its components – red blood cells, platelets and plasma- many more lives are saved.
Bekker said, “Blood donation contributes significantly to the country’s health care system. Donating a unit of this precious gift of life saves the lives of those in dire need of blood. Thousands of patients would die daily if there is insufficient quality blood in stock.
“According to the SANBS, rated among the top blood services in the world, they supply over one million blood products annually.
“When one donates blood, they give patients a gift that money cannot buy or science cannot create. A unit of blood can save up to three lives,” said Bekker.
