Video: Loyal bleeders got bling
The SANBS, known simply as the blood donor services, awarded its loyal donors with medals for their lifesaving contributions during a dinner fit for a king, catered by Riverside Estate.
Singer David Fourie performed for a full house and patrons are sure to remember the evening for many years to come.
Good food, wine and company characterized the evening attended by a close knit bleeding fraternity.
Guests were honored with the presence of the CEO of the SANBS, Mr Ravi Reddy, who alluded to their task of providing safe blood and blood products to more than 600 hospitals daily.
Video of Dawid Fourie Entertaining guest:
He said that no less than 3000 units of blood had to be collected each day, for the SANBS to provide the life giving fluid to people in need.
The SANBS comprises 2350 staff members who work around the clock to save lives.
Blood is transported by 340 vehicles, comprising the SANBS fleet and external couriers.
Since DNA technology was introduced in 2005, not a single HIV infection has been recorded, opposed to the general infection rate of two per year, making the SA blood donor services one of the safest globally.
Ms Josephine Mitchell, zone donor manager, told invitees that Mpumalanga had four branches and that the Midwit branch contributed around 34% of the provincial blood intake, with a target of 83 000 units per year between them.
She said that one unit of blood could be utilized to save three lives and that the main challenge was to get the youth to commit to donating blood.
Chairman of the zone donor committee, overseeing the branch committees, called for regular donors to avail themselves for the committees to secure a stake in management of the services.
He said that out of the 12 national SANBS board of directors, seven have to be active donors.
The chairman of the board must also be an active donor “by this means, donors are involved at every level, be it branch or board level, to ensure that the council functions at its best”.
The night’s highest accolade was bestowed on Mr Frederik Oosthuizen, veteran teacher at Middies, who donated a massive 275 units of blood, meaning that he has saved a staggering 825 lives, spurring the crowd to give the humble educator a standing ovation.
But, every little bit counts, and awards were given to those selfless people in and around Middelburg and eMalahleni who donated 25 units and more.
It was a lot of fun!! Thanks to the staff of SANBS, Riverside and off course, David Fourie. You did a awesome job.