A cry for blood
The Bona Lesedi College, SANBS and Leratong Hospital hosted one of many blood drives.
Leratong Hospital along with the Bona Lesedi College and the SANBS (South African Nation Blood Service) hosted one of many to come blood drives on Monday 1 July.
The launch of ‘A unit for my Patient’ campaign saw many Bona Lesedi College students along with healthcare staff come together to donate much-needed blood.
The aim of the campaign is to encourage healthcare workers to practice what they preach by donating blood.
“Although there may be so many healthcare workers within the health care industry, there simply is not enough blood,” says Lebo Seatlholo, public relations practitioner for the SANBS.
As the reality remains that there is always a shortage of blood, the Head of the Department of Bona Lesedi College, Mrs Naudé discussed the expectations of the health workers towards the community.
“We need all the blood we can get,” says Naudé.
She also busted all the myths surrounding donating blood with the students.
Furthermore she ensured the prosperous donors that all the needles are pre-padded and only used once eliminating the HIV/ Aids myth that surrounds donating blood.
“Donating blood is easy and saves thousands of lives.”
The CEO of Leratong Hospital, GJ Dube gave the workers some insight about the blood usage in a hospital environment.
“With around 4 000 trauma cases each month, there is somewhat 10 per cent of patients who are in dire need of blood,” says Dube.
Finally Dr Loyiso Mpuntsha, CEO of SANBS discussed the means of saving blood that had already been donated among health care workers and how donating blood contributes to a healthier lifestyle.
“We are appealing to you as health care workers to donate blood to ensure we don’t run dry on blood. Let us all roll up our sleeves and work together,” she concluded.
The SANBS has two donor centres on the West Rand where the public can go and donate blood. Donors can visit the SANBS bank at Westgate Shopping Centre in Roodepoort or the Anthos Shopping Centre in Krugersdorp to save a live by donating blood.
Alternatively the public can be on the lookout for many to come blood drive campaigns planned for the Krugersdorp community.
