Bergvliet High School is among the top-10 blood-donor schools in the province.
The school came seventh, collecting 348 units this year.
“Young people play a vital role in the maintenance of our blood supplies – we are hugely grateful for those schools and institutions where we conduct regular blood drives,” said Western Cape Blood Services (WCBS) education officer Marike Gevers.
WCBS has 129 blood donation clinics at educational institutions around the Western Cape, of which 108 are at high schools and 21 at tertiary institutions.
In 2019 the youth, donors between the age of 16 and 25, collectively contributed to 27% of the WCBS overall collections.
Recruiting young people was key to keeping up with the growing demand for blood and blood products in the Western Cape, said Ms Gevers.
“Well done and thank you to all of our school clinics and the blood donor super stars who attend them. Each unit of blood donated can save up to three lives.”
The donation process takes 30 minutes. Donors are required to be between the ages of 16 and 75, weigh over 50kg, be in good general health and lead a safe sexual lifestyle.
For more information on how to help keep blood supply levels high during the December holidays, SMS “Blood” to 33507, call WCBS on 021 507 6300, WhatsApp 060 549 7244, e-mail info@wcbs.org.za or visit www.wcbs.org.za.
This year’s top 10 blood donor schools in numerical order:
1. Spine Road High in Mitchell’s Plain – 619 units
2. Fish Hoek High – 505 units
3. HTS Drostdy in Worcester – 469 units
4. Punt High in Mossel Bay – 396 units
5. Outeniqua High in Outshoorn – 395 units
6. Bellville High – 392 units
7. Bergvliet High – 348 units
8. Langenhoven Gimnasium in Oudtshoorn – 335 units
8. Westerford High in Newlands – 335 units
9. Fairmont High in Bellville – 333 units
10. Settlers High in Bellville – 324 units