Our Lady of Fatima set to host blood drive
The school has set the target of collecting 100 pints of blood for the SANBS.
WITH life-saving blood stocks across KwaZulu-Natal running low, Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School has stepped in to lend a helping hand.
Members of the school’s Interact committee and Grade 11 learners, Hermalia Naidoo, Abi Nanson and Saimeska Padayachee, spoke about their motivations for the upcoming drive at the school, set for Wednesday, June 15.
“I’m passionate about helping others and serving my community, so when the opportunity arose, I decided to propose hosting a blood drive,” explained Padayachee. “My parents have always instilled in me the need to help others, and we hope this drive will be a success.”
For Nanson, the goal on the day is to collect 100 pints of blood.
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“So many of the learners and staff are all eager to donate, and I’m confident we can reach that point. The blood drive is open to everyone, including parents and local residents, and we encourage them to show their support on the day,” she said.
For Naidoo, the simple act of donating blood is a life-saving one.
“As someone who is anemic, I know there is a need for blood out there. Just donating a pint of blood can save up to three lives which is great considering the whole process takes less than 30 minutes,” Naidoo said.
Dennis Ngongoma, public relations officer at the service, appealed to the public to come out and donate blood and save a life.
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“We are very excited the school approached us, especially because our blood stocks are so low. We are urging residents who can’t come on the day to donate blood to visit our donor centre in Kensington Square. We have a good relationship with schools in the north Durban area, and we’d love to see as many people as possible come out and support the Fatima blood drive on the day. The greatest need for blood is for patients who are terminally ill and rely on daily, if not weekly transfusions for their survival. We need more donors from all blood groups and types,” he said.
