Join the blood drive for Mandela Day at Melrose Arch
MELROSE ARCH – The SANBS will be hosting a blood drive at Stanlib in Melrose Arch to commemorate Mandela Day.
The South African National Blood Service will be commemorating Mandela Day on 18 July by holding a blood drive at Melrose Arch Shopping Centre in partnership with Melrose Arch management, Stanlib, Cansa, Organ Donor Foundation and Sunflower Fund.
“You will be one of the few people who can say that they have saved the lives of three people – if you visit any of our hundreds of Mandela Day sites around South Africa and donate blood,” said Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the South African National Blood Service.
Mandela Day has been celebrated on former president Nelson Mandela’s birthday, 18 July, since the United Nations declared it to be Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009.
At first, the call was for people to dedicate 67 minutes of their time – representing the 67 years of his life that Mandela gave to social justice – to volunteering and community service. However, the campaign has now shifted to encouraging individuals and organisations to act throughout the year, and not just on one day.
The South African National Blood Service will be hosting blood drives around the country to commemorate Mandela Day.
“That is precisely what regular blood donors do. By donating a unit of blood every eight weeks, they are able to live up to the ideal of Mandela Day by performing voluntary service throughout the year,” said Mlambo.
“And every time they do, they are potentially saving the lives of three people. What better way to honour the life and service of Nelson Mandela than to offer the gift of life to perfect strangers.”
The service’s key theme for Mandela Day is, ‘It’s not just blood, it’s saving a nation’. The blood drive will take place at Stanlib in Melrose Arch on 18 July from 9 am to 4 pm. “If you want to make a difference on Mandela Day and you don’t know how, or you’re already doing something but you’d like to do more, visit one of our donation sites. Donating is quick and easy – and it’s a lifesaver,” said Mlambo.
If you would like to find out where your nearest donation site is, please call the South African National Blood Service on 0800 11 9031, email customerservice@sanbs.org.za or visit the service’s Facebook page.
Tell us what you will be doing on Mandela Day on WhatsApp 079 439 5345.
