With the assistance of Round Table 177 Port Alfred, the SA National Blood Service (SANBS) Eastern Cape successfully collected 38 units of blood from donors through its mobile station at the Heritage Mall in the town on Saturday.
Known as “Red Saturday” the drive sees five countries – South Africa Namibia, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Tanzania – participating in this historic event that targets achieving a total of 10,000 units of donated blood in line with the campaign slogan, “One Day, One Continent, One Purpose.”
Various mobile sites were set up throughout the country, including Jeffreys Bay, Gqeberha, East London, Port Alfred and Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
South Africa is hoping to contribute half of the 10,000 units targeted from donors in the continental campaign as the demand for blood spikes during the holiday season. The Eastern Cape was targeting 500 units she said.
In a unique development, Round Tablers across the country came on board to assist with the idea of using their networks in the hope of attracting new first-time donors to the cause.
The province’s SANBS spokesperson, Lisa Ketema, who was on site, said Port Alfred collected eight units more than the targeted 30, with six new donors coming through to donate blood.
“The collaboration with Round Table in Port Alfred definitely had a major impact,” she said. “The Round Table members supported the drive by donating life-saving blood themselves, while recruiting on Saturday. A total of 46 donors came forward to donate blood, but eight new donors were unfortunately declined for various reasons,” said Ketema.
Round Tablers also ran a “pint for pint” campaign where donors who answered their call to donate could pitch up for a free pint – courtesy of Craft Brewery – at their clubhouse afterwards where a potjiekos competition was underway.
Port Alfred Round Tablers, vice-president and president respectively, Grant Kew and Keanen Hendricks, said they were satisfied with the results.
“It was purely to encourage … new donors to come forward, adding to that, our pint of beer for a pint of blood campaign; and the proceeds from the potjiekos at R50 per serving goes back in to our community projects.”
Hendricks said the idea was to get the mobile station to be on standby at their Round Table headquarters next to PA River & Ski boat club, but that had not materialised unfortunately.
Father and son blood donors, Thys and Marcelle Mey, came around for their pint of beer. “It’s the very first time I donated, and my dad has done so for many years,” said Marcelle. “I was a bit nervous and felt a bit dizzy after I was finished, but nothing serious at all. It’s just great to know you are saving lives.”
Visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800-119-031 to find out more information on donating blood.
-
This article was first published in Talk of the Town, December 4, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays
