GEORGE NEWS - Three Garden Route schools, of which two are in George, are in the top ten blood donating schools in the Western Cape.
Outeniqua High School donated the most units of blood (370) in the Western Cape, while George High is in 10th position with 197 units donated.
Oudtshoorn's Langenhoven Gimnasium is 9th on the list with 218 units.
"The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) proudly acknowledges the remarkable efforts of the 103 high schools in the Western Cape for their contribution of 12 926 units of blood during 2023," said Marike Carli, WCBS public relations manager.
The need for blood and blood products continue to increase annually, and it is therefore vital for the WCBS to increase the active donor base.
Outeniqua principal Christo Vorster said they are happy to have been able to make a contribution.
"It is not about achieving a top spot. It is important for us as a school to render service to our community and with the blood stock at the Blood Service always being under pressure, we felt we wanted to play a part in providing relief. We hold a blood clinic once every quarter where learners over 16 years of age and staff members donate blood."
The youth plays a vital role in the sustainability of the organisation, and that’s why WCBS forge’s good ties with educational institutions and set up blood donation clinics at their premises.
"As we express our deepest appreciation to the high schools across the Western Cape, we also encourage and invite other schools to take part in the blood donation drives," she said.
High school learners can start donating blood when they are 16 years old. No parental consent is needed. Learners should, however, complete the Popi Act form, and parents should sign this legal consent document to process information.
WCBS urges high schools in the Western Cape to get in contact with them to either establish a blood donation clinic at their school or find out where the closest blood donation clinic is.
“Thank you to all our superheroes at school for going the extra mile and helping us to collect 12 926 remarkable units of blood,” Carli said.
The top 10 schools in the Western Cape for 2023:
- Outeniqua High School - 370 units
- Protea Heights Academy - 318 units
- Worcester Gymnasium - 276 units
- Fish Hoek High School - 264 units
- Emil Weder High School - 249 units
- HTS Drostdy - 246 units
- Settlers High School - 234 units
- Bergvliet High School - 233 units
- Langenhoven Gimnasium - 218 units
- George High School - 194 units
For more information or to find your closest blood donation clinic, please visit
www.wcbs.org.za, download the WCBS App, or send a WhatsApp to 060 549 7244.
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