The South African National Blood Service (SANBS)’s local branch held a blood donor awards function at the Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club on August 23.

The event honoured all their loyal blood donors for the milestones reached, with 283 donors receiving medals and certificates of recognition.

Jaco Momberg donated the most blood and got his 275th milestone medal, while Johan Greyling, Petrus Nagel, Charles Strumpher and Hendrik van Staden were honoured for their 250th milestone medals.

Hendrik Botha, Karel Gleeson, Henry van der Merwe, Christiaan van der Watt and Jan Venter were awarded their 225th milestone medals, while Barend Bekker, Leon Els, Gerhard Oosthuizen, Gary Theron and Nicolaas Uys were awarded their 200th milestone medals. Dot Prinsloo, the donor relations practitioner of the SANBS in Secunda, welcomed everybody and thanked their donors.

Local singer Shoneill entertained the guests. Sister Sanet Kalse from the Secunda SANBS shared figures with the audience and said one out of every four people will need a blood transfusion in their lives.

She said only 1% of the population donates blood.

The zone donor manager, Ronald Marsh, also shared a few words with the audience: “Many of you here have allowed someone to graduate or walk down the aisle because of your blood donations. Words cannot express what your donation means to a family.”