Sunfoil Dolphins get behind Mandela Day with blood challenge

The 67 minutes for Mandela Day is an initiative that all South Africans are deeply passionate about and the Sunfoil Dolphins have joined forces with the South African National Blood Service to attempt to achieve their target of donating 67 pints of blood or more at the Musgrave Blood Bank on Friday 17 July and Saturday 18 July.

The Durban based franchise has called on the people of Durban to join them in their quest to donate as many pints of blood as possible on Mandela Day as they try to play their part in alleviating the pressures on the national blood service.2015BloodDriveMakhanya

Getting involved in the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela is something that Sunfoil Dolphins CEO Pete de Wet sees as a great initiative to get the Dolphins involved in as well as taking the team to the people of Durban.

“Nelson Mandela left behind such an enduring legacy, and it is an honour and a privilege to take some time to not only pay tribute to a man who did so much for our country,” de Wet said. “We also want to do our bit for our own community here in Durban.

De Wet then set the challenge to the people of Durban: “The Sunfoil Dolphins would like to challenge you to come and add your support to this amazing initiative!”

The Regional Marketing Manager for the South African National Blood Service Sifiso Khoza is grateful for the effort that the Dolphins are putting in to try to spread awareness about the importance of donating blood and growing a consistent flow of donors.

“Each day, 3000 units of blood must be collected to supply the hospitals in South Africa,” Khoza said. “The need for blood is on-going – every 35 seconds someone in South Africa needs a blood transfusion.

“As part of the SANBS strategic objective to increase the donor panel and in alignment to this, we need to grow the KZN and Zululand donor base.”

It is important that the national blood service has a number of consistent donors and Khoza is glad that the Dolphins can join the list of prominent figures that promote blood donation.

“It is wonderful that the Dolphins have joined a group like Ethekwini Mayor Cllr James Nxumalo, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo – KZN Health MEC – and a number of prominent radio personalities who have dedicated to giving blood over the years.

“These people are performing a life-saving role for no reward, other than the knowledge that they are helping others.

“We want to inspire existing donors from all walks of life to keep giving regularly and also encourage those who have not given blood before to sign up to start their blood donation journey,” Khoza asked.

A number of the Sunfoil Dolphins players will be present at the blood drive signing autographs and meeting with fans.

The Dolphins will be at the donor centre at 29 Musgrave Road on the corner of Berea Road from 11am until 1pm. The donor centre will be open from 9am to 4pm on both Friday and Saturday for donations.