“ISOLATION is necessary for protection and healing. You will get through this. While you are safe in your home, remember those fighting other illnesses.”

So said Chanel Wewege from Nelson Mandela Bay in a letter written to thank all blood donors for their “gift of life”. She survived leukaemia, thanks to numerous blood transfusions.

“Also please keep supporting the South African National Blood Service by donating blood and bone marrow. Keep saving lives. The world needs you,” said Wewege.

She said the day she was told she needed to go into isolation was a mixed emotional experience. “I was so scared, and not because of being put into a room for five months, but because of what it meant for my sanity.”

She had been diagnosed with AML (Acute Myloid Leukaemia) just a couple of months before at the tender age of seventeen. She had to deal with chemotherapy, morphine and some extremely painful procedures.

She was blessed to have a bone marrow transplant donor, her younger brother.

“Fast forward to isolation, the doors closed in that small room and so did the one that held my biggest fear. I was locked and left with my own thoughts.

“My strength came from prayer and the guidance and positivity from my mother. She’d try to make me laugh and keep me busy. Eventually each day got easier until transplant day.

“So many emotions rushed in… relief, gratitude and a sense of utter peace. I made it! Throughout this journey, I received numerous blood transfusions, from people who still probably don’t know they saved my life. Now that is humanity!”

Chantel pleads to all to endure the lockdown challenge, to stay safe and healthy and to keep donating blood, as there are many people who desperately are in need of this gift of life to survive.