A special thanks to blood donors

Almost 300 everyday heroes were thanked and awarded at the annual Egoli West Donor Awards held by the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) at Usambara in Muldersdrift on 22 March.

Keith Nash, Egoli West Donor Committee Chairman and the emcee of the evening says that the awards ceremony is their way of thanking their regular blood donors.

“Without you SANBS cannot exist and therefore this is our way of thanking you for giving up your precious time for another – to be here tonight means that you have reached a milestone.”

Delene Duncan, Egoli Zone Donor Services Manager says it is because of regular donors that they are able to save the lives of others.

“We need regular donors to ensure that we have sufficient bloodstock. Over the last few years we have seen a sudden drop in donors who just stopped donating, and to win them back we are trying our utmost best to make our services more available at times that is more suitable for them.”

She says that it is still their mission to supply the various hospitals in the country with safe and efficient blood stocks.

“SANBS staff members work very hard to ensure that the daily demands are met.”

Pap Mmatli, Egoli West Collections Manager for the branches at the Westgate Shopping Centre in Roodepoort and at the Anthos Centre in Monument agrees that it is a difficult task for the branches to collect adequate blood supplies if they do not have regular donors.

“We need to collect bloodstock that will last for about five days. Further we need to have stock of a 100 per cent in the O-blood type, as this blood type can be given to any person who is in need of a serious blood transfusion.”

He says that it is a real challenge for them to recruit new donors.

“In the near future we will have much more blood drives and also plan to improve our centres to make it more comfortable for you.”

South Africa is currently in the top five countries where safe blood is available.

During the official donor awards ceremony 272 awards were given.

Thirty-two donors who are part of Club 25, a campaign that is focused on the youth to donate 20 units of blood before they turn 26, were awarded.

People receive their first medal once they have made more than 50 donations.

Medals were given to donors who donated 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300 and more than 325 units of blood respectively.

One donor reached the milestone of donating 275 units of blood and received the Antonie van Leeuwenhoek medal.

André Fourie and Robertus Uphof received the Karl Laudsteiner medal for donors who have donated 300 units of blood.

Felix Nel is the only recipient who was awarded a special certificate for his 325 donations.

Mark Rischbieter, who was unable to attend the event, was the only recipient of a special certificate for his 400 donations. To reach this milestone one needs to have donated regularly for more than 50 years.

Keith says that donors never know who receives their blood, but to the recipient it is a gift of life.