Netcare uMhlanga Hospital is once again joining forces with the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and East Coast Radio on Thursday, 15 December, to host a 12 hour blood donation drive, appealing to members of surrounding communities to give ‘the gift of life’ ahead of the festive season.
According to Wendy Beato, Netcare uMhlanga Hospital general manager, members of the public are warmly encouraged to visit the hospital in support of the blood drive from 06:00 until 18:00 and partake in the festivities planned for the day.
“One unit of blood can save three lives or more, yet records from the SANBS show that less than one percent of South Africans are active blood donors. As we head towards the festive season, where blood is usually in high demand, we are appealing to members of the community to take a little time out of their day and give the gift of this lifesaving donation.
“We thank our partners, the SANBS and East Coast Radio, for joining us in this important drive, in which we aim to beat our record of 626 units of blood collected in November 2019.
“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, during which blood donation drives were restricted, and amidst the current dire shortage of donor blood supplies, we now look forward to welcoming the people of uMhlanga and surrounds to our hospital throughout the day once more, and trust that their support will reflect the generosity of the public and close sense of community for which our area is so well known,” she concluded.
Notes to editor
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Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare uMhlanga Hospital
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster and Clementine Forsthofer
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