Bonaero Park resident gets joy in saving lives

“I have been a donor since 2005 and to date, I have donated 81 times which translates to about 243 lives saved,” said Shawn Willemse.

July 27, 2022

Puleng Sekabate 2 minutes read

Bonaero Park’s Shawn Willemse has been a donor since March 10, 2005, and to date has donated 81 times which translates to about 243 lives saved. Willemse is on the Boksburg SANBS Committee and hosts blood drives at Bonaero Park Shopping Centre every month.

One hundred and eleven lives will be saved through the blood donated during the blood drive held at the Bonaero Park Shopping Centre on Sunday.

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The number of donors recorded on the day was 37, which is significant as one person’s blood donation saves three lives.

The ability to save lives is what inspired Shawn Willemse to become a donor.

The Verheyke family also joined the Bonaero Park Blood Drive held at the Bonaero Park Shopping Centre parking on Sunday. The family was happy to have donated and help save lives. Although Tayla (left) didn’t donate on the day, she showed her support for Kurt and Patricia and celebrated the donation with Shawn Willemse.

Willemse, from Bonaero Park, has been a donor since 2005.

“To date, I have donated 81 times which translates to about 243 lives saved,” said Willemse.

“My last donation was last month and the next is in August as you can only donate once every two months.”

Willemse said his father took him to donate for the first time.

“My dad said, ‘since you don’t want to become a doctor, this is the next best thing to save lives and the easiest’. That gave me the motivation I needed to become a donor,” said Willemse.

“What also encouraged me is that my blood type is O negative, which is universal in its usage.”

The local donor has been hosting the blood drives in Kempton Park at the centre together with members of the South African National Blood Service for a year now.

The friendly staff that assisted the donors and ensured that everyone felt welcome, safe and well taken care of.

“I have been a part of the Boksburg SANBS committee for the past year, been voted in as vice deputy and also serving on the greater Vaal committee,” explained Willemse.

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“We will continue to host these drives and invite more people to donate blood. A single donation is 480ml of blood and then you have to wait another 56 days before you can donate again.”

The number of donations was negatively impacted by the pandemic.

“More blood was needed during the early stages of the pandemic and the number of donations dropped during that period. There is of late a slight spike in the number of donations.”

Willemse also explained that the blood donation process doesn’t take long.

“It depends from donor to donor. If your blood flow is slow it could be between 15 to 20 minutes and if it is fast it could be about five to 10 minutes.

“As I grew older, I did more research on how it works, and what they mean by your blood saves three lives, since your blood gets divided into three components that help other people.”