Jeffrey’s Bay business, Property Time, recently joined the Marina Martinique Homeowners’ Association’s (HOA) efforts to beat their own record of blood units donated to the South African National Blood Services (SANBS).
When Alwyn Kloppers joined the Marina Martinique HOA three years ago, he was assigned the responsibility of arranging blood drives for the residents of Marina Martinique.
Through their quarterly blood donation drives, he said that they had previously managed to donate between 12 units and 14 units of blood.
Fortunately, since he invited more residents and suburbs through social media, their blood units donated have more than doubled.
“During our most recent blood drive we were able to donate a record number of 39 units to SANBS,” said Kloppers.
As a team-building effort, and to give back to the community, Gerda Hodges, estate agent for Property Time, suggested her colleagues join the Marina Martinique’s blood drive initiative.
Durma Loubser, area manager for Property Time, said that it was important for them to contribute towards the SANBS as just one pint of blood can save three lives.
Hodges said their hearts lie with their community and it was therefore important to give back.
“Members of our team have donated individually, but as a team we donated five pints of blood as part of our company’s effort,” said Hodges.
“We as a team are excited and satisfied to donate again in the future.”
Hodges said that they are hoping to challenge other estate agencies to participate in a blood drive in the future.
She said that she wants to thank Kloppers from the Marina Martinique HOA and the SANBS branch in Gqeberha for their great blood drive services.
Zikhona Ruiters, Eastern Cape head of donor relations, said blood donation from businesses have helped the SANBS immensely, especially when the schools were closed during the winter season as they saw a huge drop in blood donations.
“During these periods, regular donors do not visit our shopping centres and donor centres as often,” said Ruiters.
For this reason, she said that they encourage business owners of all kinds to contact the SANBS and arrange a blood drive at their premises, to make it easier for their loyal donors to donate.
Ruiters said that the SANBS is facing severe blood stock shortages and, as of July 18, they have 2.9 days of blood left for group O.
She said that current weather conditions, and a higher than usual demand for blood, have sent blood stocks plummeting.
“The SANBS needs to collect 3 500 units of blood a day, and is urgently appealing to all potential and existing blood donors that are due to donate, to visit a SANBS blood donation site to donate their precious unit of blood,” said Ruiters.
“With little blood available on hand, this will have a severe impact on the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions.”
Ruiters said that whenever their blood stocks reach below three days, it places the lives of patients at risk.
“Each blood donation gives patients a second chance with their loved ones – another Christmas to remember, another summer holiday at the beach, another birthday celebration.”
- Be between the ages of 16 and 75 years
- Weigh 50kg or more
- Be in good health
- Lead a healthy lifestyle
- Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient
- Commit to donating blood regularly
For more information visit the SANBS, Click Here or call 0800 11 90 31.
Also, visit the SANBS social media accounts which include Twitter, Facebook and Instagram .
