Save a life and donate blood next week
MBOMBELA - One can enjoy a 50th birthday in many a way, but this woman decided to help others while doing so.
In celebration of her five decades, Anita McGarry, Crossing Centre’s manager, made the decision to host a blood drive at the centre on September 7 with the aim of getting people to donate as much blood as she has years behind her.
“Turning 50 is a milestone in anybody’s life,” said McGarry, “and I do think that, for
The different parts of your blood can assist cancer patients, trauma patients, and patients who need surgery
most people, it’s also a time of reflection as to what one has achieved in that time.
“As the day of my big five-oh was getting closer, I started thinking that I’d like to do something to ‘give back’ on my birthday rather than ‘receive’ … having said that, chocolate cake is always welcome!
“On a serious note, I have unfortunately had several serious health setbacks in my life, all of which, thankfully, I have overcome. Fortunately, I have never had to receive blood during any of my operations, but it could have been different, and that is how the idea of spearheading a big blood donation drive popped into my head.
“For the past 10 years, I have happily been part of the Nelspruit Crossing Centre team, a management team with strong ties to the community and an even stronger culture of giving back to those less fortunate in our community.
“One of the most important of our beneficiaries is the South African National Blood Service, which regularly comes on-site to do blood drives. The dedicated
SANBS team sometimes spends five or more hours with us and packs up with having only had four people donating. This is where the #50BloodDonorsChallenge on the day of my 50th, Wednesday September 7, came about."
Considering it only takes about 30 minutes out of your day, and that those minutes can save up to three people’s lives, why would you not want to help?
The different parts of your blood can assist cancer patients, trauma patients, patients who need surgery, and, when it is unsuitable for patient transfusion, it can be used for research as well.
To be able to donate, you need to weigh at least 50kg, be between the ages of 16 and 75, be in good health, lead a low-risk lifestyle, and to have had a snack or meal in the four hours before your donation.