More residents help to save lives

POLOKWANE – The unavailability of blood has led to deaths and many patients suffering from ill health.

This was according to the South African Blood Services (SANBS), which wrapped up Blood Donation Month on Tuesday while employees in various workplaces continued to donate blood.

The month of June was dedicated to blood donors, the millions of people throughout the world who give their blood on a voluntary, unpaid basis to save the lives of those in need.

Rejoice Dube, SANBS phlebotomist, said the need for blood transfusion may arise at any time in both urban and rural areas.

SANBS visited Mediclinic Limpopo, the office of the premier and the department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta) on Monday.

Mokgadi Anna Rasebeka from Mediclininc Limpopo said her life was saved by a blood transfusion a few years ago.

“I was critically sick and had lost a lot of blood. This created awareness for me and transformed me completely; that is how I started to see the need to donate blood,” she said.

Ramasela Agnes Lebelo, also from Mediclinic Limpopo, said she started to donate blood four years ago and was still willing to save more lives. Makwana Rabothata from Coghsta said she has donated 10 units of blood, which is not much, “but I will get there”.

Maggie Moloto, also from Coghsta, said she would donate blood until she was not capable of donating anymore. Another Coghsta official, Ignatius Kgoloko, said he started to donate blood last year and he was happy to be among the lifesavers.