In an effort to collect sufficient blood for the Easter holiday, the SANBS held its Bleedathon campaign in the city on March 23.

The SANBS had kiosks operating at various schools, hospitals, businesses, malls and shopping centres around Mbombela. Despite the quiet weekend, 54 much-needed units were donated, though short of the aim of 70 units.

The businesses involved in the drive were Innibos, the Lowveld SPAR Distribution Centre, the Mbombela Golf Club, Omoda Mbombela, Combrinck Greyling and 3%.com.

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According to SANBS’s donor relations practitioner in Mbombela, Palesa Mazibuko, the Bleedathon invited these local businesses to convince their partners and staff to donate blood. “We started this initiative back in 2017, a community-based initiative to assist our organisation in collecting blood, especially at this time of the year when we are facing Easter holidays with lots of road accidents. Apart from accidents, we have a lot of people in hospitals in need of blood daily,” she said.

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She urged people to donate blood. She explained one’s body will always produce more, and that donors cannot run out of blood by donating. She also said blood donation is not about race or gender, but for everyone living a healthy lifestyle. It only takes 15 to 20 minutes to save three lives.

Donors can visit the Grove Shopping Centre and i’langa Mall in Mbombela, the Lydenburg Donor Centre and Hazyview Junction, whichever is most convenient.

Innibos won the competition this year by donating the most units.