ADVERTORIAL
Be a Local Hero this National Blood Donor Month
In June , the Western Cape Blood Service and myrun are working in partnership to create more awareness about the vital importance of voluntary blood donation .
On 14 June , the world will celebrate World Blood Donor Day , and this will form the cornerstone of , the National Blood Donor Month here in South Africa . This year ’ s World Blood Donor Day slogan is “ Give blood , give plasma , share life , share often .” It focuses on patients requiring life-long transfusion support and underlines the role every single person can play by donating the remarkable gift of life-saving blood or plasma .
During this month , the Western Cape Blood Service ( WCBS ) will endeavour to raise awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation , while also celebrating and thanking blood donors for their selfless act of saving lives . To further raise awareness , WCBS will join myrun on Sunday , 25 June 2023 , at various events across the Western Cape . “ We are encouraging everyone to join in the fun as we celebrate the remarkable act of saving lives through blood donation ,” says Marike Carli , Public Relations Manager for WCBS .
Myrun hosts free , safe weekly timed events , bringing like-minded people together , regardless of fitness level . Routes are 2.5km and 5km , and participants can complete them at their own pace . Participants are required to register at www . myrun . org . za and pay a once-off registration fee of R79,90 for the timing band . After registration , participants will receive a QR code that must be presented at their myrun venue . A volunteer will link the QR code and the time band to your profile , and you can then use this timing band at any myrun event .
Investment in Health
One of the basic donor criteria is that blood donors should be in good general health in order to donate blood . Physical activity is vital to a healthy lifestyle , making this a great partnership . WCBS therefore encourages everyone to dress in red , or any hero attire , to fit the theme : Be a local hero and donate blood . On the day , capes will be distributed to all participants at these myrun events to symbolise that all blood donors are heroes .
WCBS will be present at the following myrun events on 25 June , and participants will be able to enquire more about blood donation . These myrun venues will also have a Blood Buddy treasure hunt and spot prizes on the day :
• Blaauwklippen Wine Estate , Stellenbosch ( Starts from 7:45am to 8:15am )
• Bloemendal Wine Estate , Durbanville ( Starts from 7:15am to 8am )
• Dolphin Beach Hotel , Blouberg , Cape Town ( Starts from 7am to 8:15am )
• Imhoff Farm , Kommetjie , Cape Town ( Starts from 7:30am to 8:15am )
• Paardevlei , Somerset West ( Starts from 7:30am to 8:15am )
• Groot Brak Sports Grounds , Groot Brak ( Saturdays - starts from 7:30am to 8:15am )
For a full list of myrun venues around the country , and for more info , visit www . myrun . org . za , email info @ myfitness . org . za , or visit their social media pages at @ myrunSA . ( If you need to collect your timing band , please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the event .)
To find your closest blood donation clinic , please visit www . wcbs . org . za , or download the WCBS app . Be a local hero , do something remarkable , and donate blood .
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