The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is showing its full support of the #MandelaDay 2016 efforts by reminding donors of the life-saving resource they all have running through their veins.
There are five ways in which people can take part in #MandelaDay activities, namely service and volunteerism, shelter and infrastructure, food security as well as education and literacy. Donating blood is one example of how South Africans can demonstrate solidarity with each other and follow in the footsteps of the late Nelson Mandela – the stalwart in whose honour this day is commemorated.
SANBS spokesperson Vanessa Raju said, “The former statesman really epitomised the great value of giving selflessly to those in need. We are proud to be able to use this occasion to remind our fellow South Africans of the importance of giving blood to ensure that those with various serious – and often life-threatening – medical conditions get the lifesaving transfusions they need.”
Blood transfusions are a crucial aspect in the treatment of various health conditions such as blood-related diseases and for managing severe haemorrhage during birth, trauma and major surgery. To meet the daily demand for these patients in the eight provinces that SANBS serves, 3 000 units must be collected through blood drives and donation centres.
“We recognise that individuals have their chosen acts of generosity and donating blood might not feature at the top of everyone’s list, but we encourage people to reach out to us and learn more about what we do. This may also aid them in finding other ways through which they can support our endeavours to provide people with an adequate and safe blood supply,” said Vanessa.
The Westgate SANBS branch will be holding blood drives on Mandela Day in conjunction with their corporate partners MTN and Standard Bank Constantia Kloof. The public is invited to donate blood at either MTN on 14th Avenue from 10am until 3pm, or at the Standard Bank Constantia Kloof branch at 4 Ellis Street during the same hours. The Westgate SANBS branch will also be open on the day from 8.30am until 7pm.
For more information on how to become a blood donor and to find your nearest donor centre, email customerservice@sanbs.org.za, call them on 0800 11 9031 or visit www.sanbs.org.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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