This year, the World Blood Donor Day was commemorated under the slogan ‘Donating blood is an act of solidarity’ in June to saving lives and raising global awareness.
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Now, the Ntholeng Mohau Foundation based in Mofolo central has collaborated with the blood service to introduce the Month of October as the beginning of annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The event will raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer while aiming to reach more people to donate blood to boost much need blood stocks with the hopes of them becoming regular donors for the organisation.
The walk which will be held at Mofolo Park, on October 8 will mark the third instalment of the cancer walk which started at the height of Covid-19.
“My father’s side of the family has a history of cancer and after being diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2018, two other people in my life were also diagnosed.
“The journey is brutal and as cancer survivors we decided that at least every year we celebrate cancer survivors but importantly raise awareness and support other survivors or those going through that path,” said NPO founder Thabang Motsieloa.
The foundation founded in 2021 helps women and men with breast and prostate cancer. The Foundation also extensively focuses on bringing awareness of breast cancer in men.
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“This is our second partnership with the organisation and I felt we need more people to donate and educate them on blood diseases and the link between cancer patients and being receptionist of blood,” she said.
“When I started cancer treatment, I needed blood and it was a hassle. I believe if we have enough blood in hospitals, it becomes easier for patients to survive.”
According to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors and one unit of blood only lasts 42 days, which is why regular blood donation is important.
Statistics show that 28% of blood collected by SANBS goes to the treatment of patients with chronic diseases and for cancer patients with blood cancers, such as leukaemia and bone marrow cancer.
Boitumelo Sentso, Donor Relations Practitioner at SANBS said, “We are expecting people to come out in numbers and respond to our plea towards saving a life.
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“We encourage citizens to become regular blood donors because we have been battling low blood stock.
“The event speaks to our recently launched Good Hope Campaign to bring blood donation to the people and reach more donors within their communities.”
SANBS aims to collect 3500 units of blood per day to ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply in the health care system.
“In addition to saving up to three lives with just one donation, you could also be saving your own life because nature is not limited to the recipients who get transfusions.
“The mini-medical tests conducted before a donation is excellent for picking up existing medical and chronic issues,” Sentso concluded.
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