NEWCASTLE: Blood donors cash in on public holiday

Blood donors helped save approximately 210 lives during a Heritage Day 'bleed'.

October 2, 2020

Bruce Douglas 1 minute read

Amanda Mogale, Phumzile Zulu, Ruth Majola, Megan Morgenrood, Thuli Simelane, Spunita Morgenrood and Mary van Biljon, with Shavani Sewpaul, Blood Buddy and Summer Sheville in front.

Local blood donors have helped save around 210 lives.

On September 24, when South Africans celebrated their cultural identities on Heritage Day, the Newcastle Donor Centre (a branch of the South African National Blood Service – SANBS) was visited by 70 donors during its special ‘bleed’.

“The turnout is poor but is also expected, because we are still amid Covid-19,” said SANBS Donor Relations Practitioner, Shavani Sewpaul.

She explained this current period was in fact the perfect time to become a blood donor, with centres generally quieter, and encouraged learners to continue donating blood when they had time.

“We urge donors to come to mobile clinics or donor centres, because of the dip in blood stocks we are experiencing. The dip is later after lockdown than we expected, but now we need your commitment.”

Spunita Morgenrood has her blood pressure and iron levels tested by Thuli Simelane (Donor Care Officer).

Overall as a branch of SANBS, Northern KwaZulu-Natal has jumped to joint second place with North in the inter-branch challenge (both are 81 per cent on target), while Midlands currently leads the way in week three (84 per cent). Donors are thanked for their dedication and selflessness.

Multiple blood donor, Charl-Marie Cronje (23) was a few weeks to early to donate blood this Heritage Day, but fully intends to give the gift of life in October.