Couple spends wife’s birthday donating blood

IZELI-MARI Strydom spent some time on her 39th birthday on June 14, giving blood alongside her husband Juan Pierre Strydom at the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) centre on Central Avenue.

Since June 14 was World Blood Day and June is International Blood Donor Month, the couple made their way to the Kempton Park CBD centre to join people who wanted to give blood.

“I am happy to spend some time on my birthday giving blood because it makes me happy to know I am helping someone. It makes me feel good to give blood and I have been doing it for a while now.

“My husband also donates blood. Our son wants to donate too because he sees us doing it. He is, however, not old enough and is also a under weight.

“I encourage other people to join and to give as much blood as possible because we are saving people of this nation when we do so. Hence I make sure I donate at least twice a year,” said a joyful Izeli-Mari.

Mpho Letlasa from SANBS said it was sad that learners were not donating blood at the moment due to exams. She said it was also tough for them this time of the year because some donors were on antibiotics because they had fallen ill or had flu.

“SANBS encourages people to give blood and invite their friends and family to join them because at the moment only one per cent of South Africans give blood. At this time of the year the demand remains the same but the supply is reduced significantly since schools close and people get sick,” said Letlasa.

“It’s not just about giving blood, it is about saving a nation.”