Charter College International High School learners and staff members rolled up their sleeves to donate blood in their first donation drive of the year.

According to Megan Valstar, the principal’s secretary, the drive was held in collaboration with the South African National Blood Service to encourage the school community to donate blood and help save lives.

Megan also shared that although the school has about 120 learners, many are too young to donate. Fortunately, staff members, senior learners and even past learners do support the initiative. On average, about 20 people donate during each drive.

“Our learners love donating blood and saving lives. Each does it for their own reasons, but for us it’s important to give back in every way we can,” Megan said, explaining the motivation behind the donation drive.

She added that blood donation may seem like a small act, but it can make a life-saving difference.

“You never realise how important blood donations are until you or someone close to you needs blood and there is a shortage. People’s lives depend on blood donations, and if you can donate, you can make a real difference,” she said.

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This drive was not the last one, as the school plans to continue hosting blood donation drives to support the blood bank and encourage learners and staff to help those in need.