Give blood, save a life
The fit and active pensioner has his national swimming colours at masters level.
Huibert Phielix (79) donated his 300th unit of blood at the Shelly Beach Blood Donor Clinic yesterday (Wednesday).
This was a first for the South Coast clinic and Huibert celebrated the life-achievement with cake, champagne and balloons.
It’s incredible to think just how many lives Huibert has saved if a unit of blood can save up to three lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
As the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) says, when one donates blood, they give patients the gift money cannot buy or science cannot create.
The Leisure Bay resident first donated blood when he was in his early 20s.
“I have canvassed all my life for people to donate blood to save lives. It’s for a good cause,” he said.
Huibert said that donating blood has kept him healthy.
He was joined yesterday by his proud wife Minnie.
The couple have been married for 51 years and have lived in the seaside town Leisure Bay for 13 years.
“Huibert has been fortunate to be able to donate blood throughout his life. It’s been a real privilege,” said Minnie.
The fit and active pensioner has his national swimming colours at masters level.
In 2019, he was handed a 30 years attendance award at the South African Masters Swimming 35th Long Course Championships held at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Port Elizabeth.
Huibert has had a very interesting career.
He worked as a quality surveyor, and then became a Lieutenant-Colonel in the South African Defence Force.
He was also on the National SANBS Board for 12 years, and is still involved in the service.
Following the lockdown Level 4 announcement, Mohamed Chan Goolam, donor relations practitioner, said most blood drives are recording very poor support from the public, with blood being needed every single day.
“Enough blood tomorrow won’t help anyone today. A person may donate blood immediately after being vaccinated, provided they don’t have any symptoms of infection and that the usual blood donation screening tests are in order,” he said.
On World Blood Donor Day, 14 June, the SANBS launched a new Commitment Campaign where donors will receive a special gift at every second donation made.
This is not only for donors who were able to donate blood four times in the same calendar year, as was the case before.
Any person who donates a unit of blood from now until 14 August 2021 will receive the launch gift.
Who needs blood?
* Women haemorrhaging due to pregnancy complication and other gynaecological complications.
* Premature babies
* Children with severe anaemia
* Accident trauma patients
* Surgical and cancer patients
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