The local branch of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) will be celebrating World Blood Donor Day on Tuesday, June 14 at Laerskool Kruinpark with the SANBS’s Adopt a Day project.
World Blood Donor Day is annually observed by South Africans in June to emphasise the ongoing need for a stable supply of healthy, safe blood and blood products.
The month-long celebration also serves the purpose of thanking and encouraging people to commit to regular donations.
Dot Prinsloo, donor relations practitioner at the local blood service, said it is because donors continuously donate blood, that they can consistently deliver life-saving, safe blood to the community.
Khensanie Mahlangu, SANBS’s communications officer, said a donor kidney recipient, Mosa Mphore, entered the last stage of rejection last January.
“My doctors decided to place me on plasmapheresis to stop my body from rejecting my kidney,” said Mosa.
He is doing well after 10 rounds of plasma transfusions.
“It was like a second transplant for me.
“The plasma helped to keep my kidney alive.
“ I will forever be grateful,” said Mosa.
Many people, like Mosa, who have been given a second chance in life, will be joining the SANBS on World Blood Donor Day to celebrate.
“Donors’ invaluable, regular donations have given people, like Mosa, an opportunity to make more memories with his family,” said Mahlangu.
The SANBS’ senior manager of Marketing and Communications, Thandi Mosupye, said the best gift a person can give anyone is the gift of life.
“We know that South Africans have huge hearts and we call on them to fully embrace the initiative of unity as part of this year’s theme for World Blood Donor Day which is: ‘Donating blood is an act of solidarity.
Join the effort and save lives,” said Mosupye.
“During June, which is also Youth Month, we are appealing to young, healthy South Africans to take up the cause of donating blood and make it a lifestyle choice.”
She thanked all the SANBS’ regular donors who ensure that the target of 3 500 daily is maintained.
Visit the blood service in Secunda in Horwood Street or contact them at 017 631 1652 or visit the blood service in Bethal near the Spar or contact them at 017 647 5598.
