'Youth key to good blood supply'

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - On Monday, 27 June, Mossel Bay youths decided to end Blood Donor Month on a high note by donating blood. For some it was their very first time.

Mossel Bay junior mayor, Ethan-John Carstens, initiated the drive and gathered teens in town to participate in the event. Carstens says: "Donating blood is a small thing to do to make a big difference in someone's life."

Education specialist of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), Alanna Kondo, praised the initiative. "Blood cannot be manufactured in a factory and we rely on voluntary blood donors to donate blood to ensure a safe and sufficient supply in the Western Cape," Kondo says.

PHOTO GALLERY: Youth donates life-saving blood

About 7.2 million people live in the Western Cape, and Kondo says only 0.91% of them donate blood.

"About 75% of the same population will require blood or blood products in their lifetime. That's why we always appeal to everyone to please come out to donate blood and we appeal especially to the youth, as they are key to the sustainability of the blood supply in our province."

Blood drive

The teens' initiative follows the 1 day–10 malls–1 000 units of blood challenge that took place on Saturday, 25 June, at 10 malls across the Western Cape. This includes Langeberg Mall in Mossel Bay.

Kondo says the initiative was highly successful as donors came in their numbers to donate blood and help save lives. "The support from our blood donors was amazing as we exceeded our target and collected 1 029 units of blood on that day."

Joubert Blignaut, Ethan-John Carstens (junior mayor of Mossel Bay), Aizlin Aguihas, Shanique Gordon (junior council members) and Eileen Swanepoel. The teens encouraged one another to save lives and donate blood.

Mossel Bay mayor Dirk Kotzé also did his bit to save lives when he donated blood over the weekend at the Mossel Bay Aeroclub, where the Ghostriders held a blood drive.

SANBS aim to have a five-day blood stock supply in the Western Cape. They therefore, need to collect 700 units of blood every day across all the eight blood groups. "We have seen a decline in our O blood groups and encourage donors to continue donating blood to ensure a safe, sufficient blood supply in the province."

Teens

Young donors can make their first blood donation as early as their 16th birthday. Kondo says all they need is to weigh 50kg or more, be in good general health and have a safe sexual lifestyle.

She says while many young donors participate in blood donation at their schools, there are still many young people who do not know about the lifesaving act of donating blood and how easy it is to become a blood donor.

Carstens says he respects his fellow youths who donate blood. "I encourage Mossel Bay's youths to follow the example by doing the same and donating blood."