50 units of blood in the name of Joshua Castle

Crawford College Sandton learners and staff recently opened their hearts and their veins to donate blood in honour of one of their own, Joshua Castle, who passed away earlier this year.

His mom, Penny Castle, originally set out a goal to donate back all the units of blood Joshua needed during his fight with cancer. This goal was met within weeks and it was decided that 364 units should be the new target: one unit for each day that Josh survived post-diagnosis. However, this challenge has a deadline, Joshua’s birthday, 13 August.

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) arrived at the school on Monday hoping to collect 20 units of blood as that would be considered “good” for two hours of running time.

Crawford College Sandton played double or nothing and a whopping 51 units of blood were donated over almost four hours with many learners and staff even staying after school to donate.

Details: If you would like to get involved in the Bloody Birthday Challenge blood drive, donate blood at your nearest SANBS centre, take a picture and upload it to the Bloody Birthday Challenge Facebook group. The cause still has over a hundred units to go and needs your help.

Have you donated towards the cause? Share your stories with us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page.

Related links: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/202095/gone-but-definitely-not-forgotten/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/199362/montrose-night-challenge-success/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/199071/sanbs-to-host-newblood-blood-drive-for-human-rights-day/