By Toni Erasmus
An invitation to stand on the shoulders of those who are blood donor heroes
August marks Women’s Month, and we are delighted to showcase some of our remarkable woman superheroes who may not share the same blood type but the same heart to pave the way for the sisterhood of blood donors! They can be likened to the 20 000 women who paved the way for all women as they marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, protesting against the extension of pass laws to women and dismantling the systems designed to reduce the value of women.
We are calling women to stand on the shoulders of those who have donated blood before, to be inspired to step up and be part of the sisterhood of blood donor heroes in the Western Cape.
“You never know when it’s your turn. I choose to donate blood because I can give a gift to someone who really needs it.” – Pippa Hudson.
If you are a CapeTalk listener, you will know lunchtime presenter Pippa Hudson who brings us up to speed on all lifestyle matters in the city. Pippa was first introduced to blood donation at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg when she was just 17 years old. She will soon celebrate the milestone of reaching her 65th blood donation, saving up to 195 lives!
We asked her what the word “woman” means to her as we reflect on Women’s Month.
“Resilience, adaptability, and the ability to juggle many roles and responsibilities. Someone who holds a family or workplace together through difficult times”, says Pippa passionately.
Pippa celebrates her mom and daughter as the formidable women in her life, her mom being a retired physiotherapist and her daughter who is a 19-year-old medical student. Being a passionate advocate for organ, stem cell and blood donation, Pippa credits her awareness to helping others on their healing journey to her mom, who has been an example of hard work. She holds on to the words of her mom: “If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing properly.” These hard and heart-work attributes in Pippa’s life are evident through her commitment to blood donation and her many successes in her career.
Pippa knows how to manage her time. Being a working mom and having to give her all in every aspect of her life, she has quickly learnt how to make blood donation part of her routine. Did you know that you can download our WCBS App to help you keep up to date with your blood donation dates? It is an easy way to keep you updated and is recommended by Pippa herself!
Jenna, Pippa’s daughter, was inspired to stand on the shoulders of her mom as they decided to donate blood together for the first time, the week after she turned 16. Our renowned cookies and funky socks are highly recommended by Jenna, too.
Just like Pippa, you, too, can inspire someone and, more so, give someone the gift of life by donating blood.
Hailing from Somerset West in the Western Cape, Tracey Lange is a fierce media maven who is most passionate about using the platforms she has been blessed with to help others share their stories.
She believes in the saying: “Lift while you rise” and in saying that, ever since she was first introduced to blood donation in high school, she has never looked back as this is also a way to lift others to life. “I am always excited about being able to donate because I know that it is going to help someone in need,” says Tracey.
Tracey is one of our loyal and remarkable blood donor heroes. You may have heard her on KFM94.5 and seen her hosting Bravo or Tussen Ons on KykNet, but amongst all the amazing work she does in the media landscape, you may also have run into her at one of our blood donations centres, giving blood and inspiring others to do the same.
The inspirational women in her life are her mother, sister, and other women who journey alongside her. She expresses that they are the special ones who are ever present and who take the time to go the extra mile, especially when you need someone to be there for you. Although blood donation may seem anonymous, it is a very personal and life-changing act for the person receiving your blood.
This Women’s Month, take the time to find the woman who inspires you and do something together that will save lives: donate blood. If you can’t donate, remind a sister to stand on the shoulders of those who have donated, like Pippa and Tracey. Your recommendation may inspire them to save three lives. Find a donation clinic closest to you today!
Happy Women’s Month to our Remarkable Women in the Western Cape and South Africa!
