The South African National Blood Services recently awarded the Beekman Group with a SANBS Controller Award. This is in recognition of the Group’s assistance to SANBS by hosting a bi-annual blood drive in the building, encouraging staff and their family and friends to donate. Training and Development Manager, Hannelie Millar, accepted the award on the behalf of the Group.
The SANBS needs about 3 000 units of blood daily but only 1% of the population donates. A unit of blood only lasts 42 days after donation and, for this reason, it is important for blood donors to donate regularly. Donors can give blood as often as every eight weeks. Every unit of blood can save a minimum of three lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.