INTRODUCTION
#The People Behind The Blood
Donors
Royson Naidoo – Milestone Donor
Royson Naidoo has dedicated his life to donating blood and serving his community. His selflessness and unwavering dedication serve as a genuine source of inspiration. In 1981, he received a transfusion of two blood units, igniting his passion for blood donation. Since then, Royson has generously donated more than 130 units of blood, changing the lives of nearly 400 families.
Sibongeleni Hlongwane – Young Donor
Sibongeleni Hlongwane, a 23-year-old from Pietermaritzburg, began his journey of blood donation at 17 while attending school. His commitment to donating blood is his way of giving back to society. He encourages fellow young individuals to explore the meaningful act of blood donation and participate in community blood drives. #ThePeopleBehindTheBlood
Dirk van der Westhuizen – Milestone Donor
Dirk is an exceptional blood donor who began his blood donation journey in the 1970s and has made 280 life-saving donations since. Dirk’s selflessness has kept the legacy of giving alive. He is one of the donors who continue to donate blood in their senior years, conveniently donating blood at a mobile clinic in his church in Bela-Bela, so he does not need to drive far.
Njabulo Mkhize – Platelet Donor
Njabulo initially began his blood donation journey as a whole blood donor but later transitioned to a dedicated platelet donor. With the blood type A+ (positive), he responded to the call to donate a specific blood product. Although he acknowledged that Apheresis donation involves a more protracted process compared to whole blood donation, his motivation stems from the profound impact his contributions have on improving and saving lives.
Sisanda Qwabe-Coutaud – Female Donor
Sisanda Nomusa Qwabe-Coutaud is a Journalist, Media Mogul, filmmaker, Legal Practitioner, and Mother of three. From a traditional Zulu family, blood donation was discouraged and viewed as a taboo cultural practice. In 2016, a life-threatening medical condition struck one of her family members and changed her perspective completely. This inspired her to use her platforms to educate people about the importance of blood donation.
Donor Recipients
Mosa Mphore
I didn’t know that it is possible to retrieve plasma from blood. I didn’t even think plasma came from one’s blood!”
In 2011, a young man, Mosa, was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure. At 22, he started a dialysis treatment programme to support his non-functioning kidneys. A year and a half later, Mosa received incredible news that he had found a compatible donor. Given that kidney waiting lists can stretch up to five years, Mosa considered himself highly fortunate to receive a second lease on life in such a short time. In January 2021, Mosa’s donated kidney entered the last rejection stage. He underwent Plasmapheresis treatment to stop his body from rejecting his kidney. Thanks to the generosity of blood donors, Mosa is doing well.
Maxine Stander
I want to thank all donors for your selflessness. Your kind-hearted act has saved the lives of countless South Africans like myself.”
Maxine Stander is a young woman with Factor XIII deficiency – an extremely rare inherited bleeding disorder, also known as the Fibrin Stabilising Factor, responsible for stabilising a clot when a person bleeds. Factor XIII deficiency is one of the rare coagulation factor deficiencies and is characterised by defective wound healing. Maxine was treated with an intravenous (IV) infusion of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP). She currently receives treatment at a local government hospital and has a scheduled check-up every three months. All bleeds are treated with prescribed medication, while major bleeds are first assessed, and if necessary, an IV of a unit or two of FFP is administered.
Lezhanne Hartwell – Mother
I would like to thank all blood donors because of your generosity; you have contributed to saving our little girl's life.”
Lezhanne Hartwell, mother to baby Hartwell, received blood from generous donors. Her 18-month-old baby girl was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma in October 2020. The baby received a 200ml blood transfusion at the Donald Gordon Hospital only weeks later. She is a blood donor who is petrified of needles, but after her daughter needed blood, she realised there is good in giving a part of herself and has committed to donating blood often.
