WATCH: Staff happy to bleed for a good cause on Valentine’s Day

The current blood stocks is below the required level of five days for each blood group to ensure sustained blood availability for patients in need.

February 15, 2024

Fanie Mthupha 2 minutes read

Making his romantic gesture to save lives is Mavi Nxangane. He is seen with SANBS' Mathapelo Mokoena.

In an effort to help ease the dire blood shortages at the national blood bank, local company Filter & Hose Solutions (FHS) organised a Valentine’s Day (February 14) blood drive at its premises in Anderbolt.

The event saw staff queueing up for their turn to give the gift of life to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) as their way of showing love for those in need.
According to the company’s sales and technical department HOD, Ernest Heather, their target was at least 57 units of blood from staff.
The blood drive was open to FHS staff and, partners and affiliates.

Jittery about needles, Dawie Jacobs flinched and blinked as the needle pierced his skin to draw blood during the drive at FHS. He said it’s not painful, it’s just fear and anxiety related to needles.

“We understand that blood is always a scarce resource, therefore, we came up with the slogan ‘Show Love by Saving Life’ and encouraged staff to support the initiative.
“It was our first blood drive but we have had a discussion with the SANBS about periodically hosting blood drives at our company.”
He challenged other companies to do the same to help save lives.

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by giving the gift of life? Seen during the blood drive are Boksburg SANBS’ donor relations practitioner Peter Mafela (middle), and some of the event organisers FHS’ Ernest Heather and Christa le Roux.

One of the donors on the day, Mathys du Rande, said: “This is about my eighth blood donation. I made a choice in Grade 10 to save lives through blood donation and encourage others, particularly the youth, to do the same.”

Giving the gift of life during the drive are FHS’ Mathys du Rande and Christa le Roux.

Boksburg SANBS donor relations practitioner Peter Mafela emphasised the importance of blood donation in assisting them to keep up with demand.
He said the current blood stocks were at 3.7 days, which is below the required level of five days for each blood group to ensure sustained blood availability for patients in need.

Queueing up for their turn to give the gift of life are Monde Mbanjwa, Tankiso Motsoeneng, Lerato Shude and Msawethu Mbanjwa.

“Firstly, I want to thank FHS for hosting us on this day of love. We desperately need this kind of support to be able to save lives when there are people who desperately need blood to survive.
“We encourage schools, churches, businesses and communities to support us by hosting blood drives,” said Mafela.

This is the SANBS team that was on site.

One of the requirements for hosting a blood drive is a minimum of 15 committed donors.
For more information about hosting a blood drive, contact Peter Mafela on 079 891 1169 or send and email to peter.mafela@sanbs.co.za.

Herman Mantati gives blood for a good cause on Valentine’s Day.

Christa le Roux shares the love to save up to three lives.

Pieter Cornelissen contributes to the blood bank.

Angelina Zuma celebrated Valentine's Day by giving the gift of life.

Minimum requirements to be a blood donor:
• Be between 16 and 75 years old (first-time donors).
• Weigh at least 50 kgs (for platelet donation a minimum of 55 kgs).
• Be in good health.
• Lead a low risk lifestyle.
• Consider your blood safe for transfusion.
• Have not donated blood in the last 56 days (platelets in the last 14 days).
•Pulse is between 60-100 regular beats per minute.
•Blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) (180/100mmHg) and above 100 systolic (first number) and above 60 diastolic (second number) (100/60mmHg).
• Your haemoglobin level is 12.g for females and 13.g for males/dL or above.
A pre-screening test ensures that your blood pressure and haemoglobin levels are within a safe range for you to donate.

For more information, visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 11 9031 to find out where you can donate blood.
Follow the SANBS on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs).

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