Donate blood and make a difference this festive season

The biggest community-driven blood drive in Joburg is back and eager to take your blood ahead of the accident-ridden festive season.

The Making a Difference (Mad) team from NRG Properties, headed by Gert van Zyl, is partnering with Cotlands, a non-profit organisation to host its fourth blood drive this year at the Riverside Shopping Centre on 9 December.

So far, the drive has collected 140 units of blood through three successful blood drives at the popular Riverside Shopping Centre following the weekly Bryanston Parkrun.

Van Zyl said, “We are trying to create a place in Bryanston where people can donate blood regularly. This is a great opportunity to give blood just before the December holidays when it is much-needed. It doesn’t cost anything to donate and you could potentially save three lives this holiday with your selfless donation.

“We want people in Bryanston to create a habit of donating blood regularly since this is the most convenient place for Bryanston residents to donate,” said van Zyl.

He added that those who are donating for the fourth time will be given a special gift to thank them for their loyal giving.

As always, there will be a variety of prizes up for grabs to all who pitch up and donate. Lucky draw prizes include Sorbet vouchers, a R5 000 Ghorbany carpets voucher and restaurant vouchers for the Riverside Shopping Centre to name a few. New Beginnings Pilates Studio, where the event is hosted, will also be hosting a free pilates class during the period when people can donate blood.

Link Pharmacy will be doing free cholesterol, glucose, HIV and blood pressure testing at the blood drive.

Van Zyl said he was pleased with the progress of the blood drive in the community and hopes to collect 90 units of blood at the event.

Details: The event will take place from 9am to 1pm at the New Beginnings Pilates Studio at the Riverside Shopping Centre. For more information, visit the ‘M.A.D Blood Drive Bryanston’ Facebook page or contact Gert directly on 084 410 9242.

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