By Marike Carli

During June, we celebrate National Blood Donor Month, with the 14th being World Blood Donor Day. During this month, we endeavour to raise awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation. We also celebrate and thank blood donors for their selfless act of saving lives. 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.

To further raise awareness, we will join myrun on Sunday, 25 June 2023, at their 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. 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. We encourage 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 to symbolise that all blood donors are heroes.

myrun hosts free and safe weekly timed events, bringing like-minded people together, regardless of fitness level. Routes are 2.5km and 5km; participants can complete them at their own pace. Participants are required to do a once-off registration by visiting www.myrun.org.za. The registration has a once-off fee of R79,90 for the timing band. After registration, you will receive a QR code that must be presented at your myrun venue. A volunteer will link the QR code and the time band to your profile. You can then use this timing band at any myrun event. Times are listed below per venue. If you need to collect your timing band, please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the event.

We will be present at Blaawklippen, Bloemendal, Blouberg, Imhoff Farm, Paardevlei, and Groot Brak, and you will be able to enquire more about blood donation should you wish to. These venues will also have a ‘Blood Buddy’ treasure hunt and spot prizes.

myrun venues in the Western Cape – starting window and closing times listed below:
1. Blaauwklippen – Stellenbosch at 07:45
2. Bloemendal Wine Estate – Durbanville at 07:30
3. Blouberg – Cape Town at 07:00
4. Imhoff Farm – Kommetjie at 07:00
5. Paardevlei – Somerset West at 07:30
6. Knorhoek Estate – Sir Lowry’s Pass at 07:45
7. Elgin United Church – Cape Town at 07:30
8. Groot Brak – Mossel Bay on Saturdays at 07:30
9. Carmel Coastal Retreat – George at 07:30
10. Portland Manor – Knysna at 08:00

For more information regarding myrun visit www.myrun.org.za or visit their social media pages at @myrunSA

Be a local hero, do something remarkable, and donate blood.

#beaherodonateblood
#neverstopmovingwithmyrunSA