EC blood donor drives

TOMORROW marks World Blood Donor Day and the South African National Blood Services will use the entire month to express gratitude to donors and remind them of the lives they save.

The SANBS shared the stories of three South Africans – a teacher, a student and personal trainer, and a shop owner – whose lives were saved by blood transfusions.

Patience Thusi, a KwaZuluNatal teacher, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in 2010. The condition stops the body from producing enough new blood cells. At first Thusi required weekly blood transfusions, but today requires one every three months.

Due to her condition, a number of Thusi’s friends and family have become blood donors.

Matt Lathan, 26, is a student and personal trainer who suffered complications from hernia surgery which led to his kidneys being poisoned.

“Knowing that I ... received the gift of blood has given me a new purpose in life,” he said.

Shop owner Yusuf Degam, 27, has suffered from a kidney condition all his life. Two months before turning two he had a kidney transplant.

Two decades later his bone marrow is collapsing. It has resulted in his blood cell and platelet count declining, meaning he requires regular blood transfusions.

The Border-Kei office will hold blood drives in East London, Mthatha and Queenstown this weekend.

East London venues are the Berea and Beacon Bay donor centres as well as the vet shop in Vincent Park Centre today.

Queenstown donors can go to the donor centre in that city. The blood drives will be held from 9am to 3pm.

Tomorrow from 11am to 3pm there will be a blood drive at the Mthatha Plaza mall. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za