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MR SOUTH AFRICA SUPPORTS BLOOD DONATION

Mr South Africa, Denver Burns from Port Elizabeth (PE) donated blood on April 1, 2010 in the PE branch. Denver is a proud supporter of South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and is in the process of signing as SANBS Ambassador.

His contribution during the Easter Blood Drive in PE boosted the branch’s efforts in the collection of sufficient safe blood. The PE branch procured 107 units of blood during the blood drive as compared to the 152 units collected last year.

Denver used social media like Facebook to encourage people to donate blood. He said that donating blood makes him feel like a hero.

“Donating blood is worth all the effort. I will always be passionate to donate and encourage the public to also donate blood,” he said.
 
People are encouraged to visit SANBS website on www.sanbs.org.za to see where they can donate blood. 

Mayor supports SA National Blood Service

Mayor Obed Mlaba showed his support for the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and said it was important for people to donate blood. The eThekwini mayor took time from his duties to donate blood at the blood donation centre at Umlazi Mega City.

Clinic officials, who said people were hesitant to visit a clinic to donate, described Mlaba’s support and efforts as crucial in inspiring massive community participation.

Mlaba said it’s the best gift you can ever give to another human being. It helps a great deal in accidents and illnesses and we appeal to everyone to come out and save lives.

“If we, as government officials, could strengthen our support of this campaign, I’m positive many people in our communities could feel inspired. We therefore need to encourage everybody to see the significance of supporting this worthy lifesaving campaign”.

The Clinic Supervisor, Ntombifuthi Cele, expressed delight at the gesture by the mayor, saying other officials should emulate what he did.

“This is part of an ongoing national drive to encourage people to donate blood. However, despite some major strides in terms of marketing the campaign, we still don’t enjoy much support from locals. People are still reluctant to visit our clinic to donate, but there is hope,” she said.

Cele said that according to reports, there is a severe shortage of blood throughout South Africa. According to a report from SANBS, at least 3000 units of blood are needed daily to meet the demands of hospitals and patients.

“Blood is needed not only for the victims of accidents, but also for medical procedures and ongoing patient treatments involving regular transfusions,” said Cele.

NORTHGLEN NEWS 08 Jan 2010 Page 2

eThekweni Mayor Obed Mlaba, a regular blood donor,donating blood at Umlazi Blood Donation Centre.

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