Sunninghill community members on a mission to save lives

In their concerted efforts to save lives, Sunninghill Community Ratepayers Association and South African National Blood Service (SANBS) hosted a blood donation drive on 13 and 14 February in a local park.

The blood service pitched its tents in Sunninghill Garden Park and invited locals to come and donate blood as Valentine’s gift to save someone’s life.

Chairperson of Sunninghill Community Ratepayers Association, Linda Gildenhuys thanked local community members who came in their numbers to donate blood.

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“This was our first blood drive donation event that we have hosted in partnership with SANBS aimed at saving lives.

“We’ve been through a lot as a country and the world since last year because of Covid-19, that resulted in people losing their jobs and their loved ones. Much attention has been given to the pandemic and people who are donating blood stop because they regarded hospitals and clinics as hotspots for Covid-19.

“To make a small contribution, we decided to host this blood donation drive in a park where there are less people and community members will feel safer to come and donate blood,” Gildenhuys said.

Professional nurse at SANBS eGoli North branch, Bongani Sibeko urged members of the public to donate blood.

“We appeal to all healthy members of the public from the age of 16 years old upward to donate blood at least once in eight weeks. We have only one per cent of the South African population donating blood to save millions of lives,” Sibeko said.

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“We need blood for different purposes, for example, mothers who have just given birth and people who have been involved in accidents and lost blood. One person donating blood can save up to three lives.”

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