The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) hosted a blood donation drive at Alberton Methodist Church on June 2, inviting community members to donate blood and help maintain the country’s vital blood supply.

According to SANBS donor care officer, the organisation visits the church regularly.

“We come here every 56 days, which is the required interval between whole blood donations. After that period, donors who previously donated become eligible to donate again, so we communicate with them and let them know when we will be returning,” said Nonhlanhla Mnguni, donor care officer.

The blood drives provide an opportunity for eligible donors to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of patients who depend on blood transfusions every day.

“I’ve been donating religiously for many years. It’s just my way of giving back and helping those who need help. I do think it’s necessary. In our country, we should be able to help giving what we can. It’s the little bit that we can do to help others,” said Leanne Kuijpers, one of the donors.

For Leanne, blood donation is also deeply personal. She shared that her twin babies spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after they were born and both required life saving blood transfusions.

“My twins landed up in the NICU. One twin needed one blood transfusion and my other baby needed three blood transfusions. It affects anyone. Even babies need blood transfusions. My family’s experience reinforced the importance of maintaining a steady blood supply,” she said.