Melinda Samuels, Margie Symons, Lizie Ngcobo\u2019s four-year-old daughter Chlo\u00e9, Roelof Badenhorst. Their names are not known to most South Africans, but they are testament to the power that we all hold in our hands \u2026 the ability to save a life.<\/p>\n
Melinda, Margie, Chlo\u00e9 and Roelof are among the hundreds of thousands of South Africans whose lives have been saved by something so simple yet powerful beyond words: a blood transfusion.<\/p>
Thirty years ago, Melinda needed four pints of blood after she haemorrhaged during the birth of her first child.<\/p>\n
Doctors later told her that without a blood transfusion she would have died.<\/p>
Margie required the same amount of blood after being admitted to hospital 10 years ago following a serious car crash during which she broke both her legs and seven ribs, causing a haemopneumothorax.<\/p>\n
Chlo\u00e9 needed two pints of blood after being born eight weeks premature.<\/p>\n
And Roelof needed a blood transfusion following surgery and being placed in an induced coma after being knocked off his motorbike by a drunk driver, which resulted in him breaking his right leg, dislocating his hip and cracking a couple of ribs.<\/p>\n
While extolling the skill of their doctors and nurses, all four have no doubt who else to thank — the donors who provided the blood that saved their lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose weeks in hospital were the worst because I didn\u2019t know if she would pull through. But she did.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday Chlo\u00e9 is a four-year-old girl who enjoys dance, drama and swimming.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thank the blood donors who made it possible for me to see my little girl grow,\u201d said Lizie.<\/p>\n
Melinda added, \u201cTo this day I still believe that when women give birth, both mother and child stand with one foot in the grave, and when I think back I\u2019m so thankful to have been given another chance in life by someone who made the effort to donate their blood.\u201d<\/p>\n
As South Africa celebrates Blood Donor Month in June, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) acknowledges the ordinary South Africans who selflessly give the gift of life to strangers.<\/p>\n
\u201cSouth Africa is well acquainted with heroes.<\/p>\n
\u201cNelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Nkosi Johnson, Natalie du Toit \u2013 they are widely feted and acknowledged.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there are scores of other unacknowledged heroes in South Africa, the thousands of ordinary men and women who regularly donate blood, selflessly and without expectation of a reward or recognition,\u201d said Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlood Donor Month, and World Blood Donor Day which is celebrated globally on June 14, is for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to acknowledge their gift and to say thank you.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for saving the life of that mother, thank you for saving the life of that car accident victim, thank you for saving the life of that premature baby.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for giving them a lifetime of memories. Your selflessness is not unrecognised, nor will it ever be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silungile said the theme for World Blood Donor Day 2017 is blood donation in emergencies.<\/p>\n
While the global campaign is aimed at helping people in emergency situations, such as natural disasters and trauma situations, Silungile said incidents of trauma make up only a fraction of the demand for blood in South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy far the greatest proportion of blood is required in other situations, such as in childbirth and for cancer patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn South Africa, blood shortages occur most often during school holidays and they are predominantly caused by lower collections of blood as a result of schools and universities closing and the demand staying consistent,\u201d said Silungile.<\/p>\n
She called on all South Africans to donate blood.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo many people in life-threatening situations require blood.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne simple action can make a huge difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the donor, it’s a few minutes every 56 days.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the recipient, it\u2019s helping them live so they can create a lifetime of memories. Become a donor, it\u2019s not just blood. It\u2019s saving a nation,\u201d said Silungile.<\/p>\n
To find out more about donating blood and to locate your nearest SANBS donor centre, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.<\/p>\n
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Other articles you may be interested in:<\/p>\n
Become someone\u2019s one in 100 000 chance of survival<\/a><\/p>\n Malaria is a preventable threat to SA\u2019s blood supply<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or Puleng Sekabate\u00a0pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/strong>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n