Bruma blood donor encourages others to donate too
I was a category three donor which meant that my blood was used for more than just transfusion.
Sandile Nkabinde donated his 100th unit of blood at the Bruma donor centre recently.
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Nkabide told the EXPRESS that he started to donate blood during his days as a student at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1997.
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“I started donating blood after losing a classmate whom I was very fond of. My friend died after childbirth due to a loss of blood and there were no blood reserves.
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“I just could not believe that someone lost her life during the most precious moment of her life because we did not donate enough blood. I then took a vow to donate as much as I possibly can. I am glad and grateful that I have come this far and made a difference in other people’s lives,” he said.
Nkabide said it was very easy as a student to donate blood because there were more mobile units at the university campus that recruited students to donate. I started there and would donate whenever I can.
“In 1998 I committed to joining Club 25 and donated four times a year. I used to donate four times a year but things changed when I started working. I would lapse due to stress and assignment to remote areas like Thabazimbi and Newcastle. Had it not been because of work I would have reached this milestone earlier.
“I am committed to helping with a blood transfusion to everyone who needs it. I later learned that my blood was also used for cancer research. I was a category three donor which meant that my blood was used for more than just transfusion. That highlighted the importance of this commitment and also leading a healthier lifestyle. Through donating blood, I learned the importance of being honest at all times. When I had a tattoo, I had to disclose that and I had to wait for six months before I could donate again,” he said.
Nkabide said it’s important for people to donate blood.
“Blood gives hope and another chance to other people. We have lots of accidents where people lose blood, cancer patients, and premature babies who need blood and also mothers who haemorrhage during childbirth. We need more people to donate. Blood saves lives,” he said.
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