The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) Benoni branch had its blood drive at the Avenues in Springs on May 09.
The drive was done to encourage the community to donate blood.
Donor recruiter, Mpho Muridili says, “Donating blood is saving lives so the more people donate the better because we will have enough blood to save lives.
“We came to Springs today to do a blood drive because waiting at the donor centre for people to come and donate blood is not effective.
“Going to the community helps us in educating people about blood donation, so mobile drives are more effective and more “efficient.”
Also read: The missing letters: SANBS wants your As, Bs and Os
A donor, Thabiso Mabena says, “I am donating because I felt the need to save someone’s life and I have made a commitment that I’ll donate regularly.
“I am donating for the sixth time today.”
The Addie spoke to the clinic supervisor, Charles Mkhize, who says anyone between the ages of 16 and 75 can donate so long they weigh 50kg and above, living a healthy lifestyle, having one sexual partner and are ready to commit to donating blood regularly.
Mkhize says: “You can’t donate blood when you are HIV positive but you can donate when you are diabetic or hypertensive as long as you take medication.”
An African Reporter journalist Sphumelele Ndlovu says: “I was donating blood for the first time after my sister, a regular donor, emphasised the importance of donating.
“After this experience, I will definitely be donating again as the process is relatively painless and quick.”
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