\u201cIt really is an awesome thing to do,\u201d says blood recipient Bonolo Mashilo.<\/p>\n
As she has anemia she received blood on May 22.<\/p>
Thanks to South Africa\u2019s dedicated pool of blood donors, Bonolo was able to get the blood she needed to survive.<\/p>\n
Bonolo, and thousands of others with life-threatening conditions, join the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in encouraging South Africans to become regular blood donors on World Blood Donor Day today, June 14.<\/p>
Every year, World Blood Donor Day highlights the need to maintain a stable supply of healthy, safe blood and blood products, while encouraging people to become regular donors.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also an opportunity to thank the volunteers whose donations of blood save and enhance the lives of people like Bonolo.<\/p>\n
Silungile Mlambo, the SANBS\u2019s chief marketing officer said, \u201cThe best gift you can give anyone is the gift of life.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Who can donate blood?<\/a><\/p>\n He bleeds the gift of life<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe know that South Africans have huge hearts and we call on them to fully embrace the spirit of this year\u2019s World Blood Donor Day theme, \u2018Safe blood for all\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cOut of South Africa\u2019s population of 56 million people, only about one per cent donate blood regularly.<\/p>\n This blood is used by every person living in this country who needs a transfusion during an operation or for emergencies during childbirth,\u201d Mlambo said.<\/p>\n She added that SANBS applauds its regular donors, who ensure the target of 3 500 units per day is maintained.<\/p>\n \u201cThis Youth Month we are appealing to young, healthy South Africans to make donating blood a lifestyle choice.\u201d<\/p>\n As for Bonolo, she wants to thank every blood donor who made it possible for her to live.<\/p>\n Blood donations go way beyond just the person who receives the blood.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just blood, it\u2019s keeping families together.<\/p>\n Visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31 to find out where you can donate blood on World Blood Donor Day.<\/p>\n \u2022 This is where your blood goes:<\/strong><\/p>\n There is a common misconception that most of the blood donated in South Africa goes to accident victims.<\/p>\n This is not the case.<\/p>\n Here is a rough breakdown from the SANBS of where the blood it collects is used:<\/p>\n \u2022 28 per cent is used to treat cancer and aplastic anaemia.<\/p>\n \u2022 27 per cent is used during childbirth.<\/p>\n \u2022 21 per cent is used for scheduled surgery.<\/p>\n \u2022 10 per cent is used for paediatric care.<\/p>\n \u2022 6 per cent goes to laboratories.<\/p>\n \u2022 6 per cent is used for orthopaedic care.<\/p>\n \u2022 4 per cent is used for accident or trauma victims.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/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<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n