![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2014/07/30-sr-Blood1-ar-Custom.jpg)
The blood bank in The Avenues Shopping Centre’s aim for Mandela Day is 40 units.
At 1.45pm, they have already received 28 units.
They have opened at 9am, this morning (July 18) and have extended working hours until 6pm tonight.
According to Sister Juliana Visser, two business groups arrived this morning and have of each group donated blood.
“The others are potential donors and are already on the system,” she says.
She adds one of the companies donated muffins to be handed out to all the donors on the day, as part of their 67 minutes.
Louis van Heerden from Sharon Park turned 66 today and celebrated his birthday by donating his 60th unit.
He says it is an honour to donate a unit of blood for Mandela Day.
Julia Kgalema convinced her three colleagues who all work in Brakpan, to join her in donating blood on Mandela Day.
![Julia Kgalema, an ex KwaThema resident donating her third unit at the Avenues Shopping Centre's blood bank.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2014/07/30-sr-Blood2-ar-Custom-423x281.jpg)
It is Julia’s third donation.
Another third timer is Violanda Olivier from Geduld Extension.
She feels it is the right thing to do on Mandela Day.
Thumi Sethenya from Petersfield although it is the third time she is donating blood, but it is a first on Mandela Day.
She says she feels privileged knowing that she is helping others in need, specially on Mandela Day.