By: Khetho Dlamini

The South African National Blood Service held its Donor Awards at the Durban Suncoast Casino on Friday.

Blood donors who have donated more than 50 times at the Durban North Branch were invited to attend the event.

The event was organised by Phelelani Mkhize who is a zone Donor Manager working in collaboration with Rodney Brand, who is a committee chairperson of the SANBS.

In his address, Charles Maharaj, Head of Marketing, said that this branch is performing very well.

“The Durban North Branch has been officially declared as the best performing branch in the country after having exceeded its target by 14% last year,” declared Maharaj.

He added, “We face a problem of potential donors who are advised not to donate because of low iron levels in their blood. This is clear evidence of the fact that people are not having a balanced diet or just simply healthy food”.

Patience Thusi, blood recipient and guest speaker, shared how her life was saved by the blood donated when she was diagnosed with A-plastic anemia.

“I am grateful for the donors who donate their blood because they saved my own life, brought a mother back to her children, wife back to her husband and teacher back to her students,” she said.

Jay Moodley, SANBS’s Public Relations officerstudents, announced that the organisation has been recognised by the World Health Organisation and rated as one of the top five safest blood donor organisations in the world.