Make a donation before your vacation at the OFM Big Bleed

Blood donors will have the opportunity to save lives and meet their favourite OFM presenters when the second OFM Big Bleed will be held on 7 and 8 December 2007 at various shopping centres throughout central South Africa.

With the busy festive season approaching, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) once again relies on the goodwill of central South Africans to donate before they go on vacation to boost the country's blood supplies.

It is the second year that SANBS together with OFM will host the Big Bleed blood donation promotion. In 2006 the event was held on one day, and 450 units were collected. Due to this success, the event will now take place over two days, with blood donation clinics being held on Friday, 7 December from 09:00 to 15:00 and on Saturday, 8 December from 09:00 to 13:00.

On the Friday corporates and businesses will be challenged on air. On Saturday OFM DJs will host outside broadcasts directly from the shopping centres, crossing over to the studio three times every hour, while encouraging the public to make their lifesaving blood donations.

“The festive season is a time of giving. We cannot save the lives of patients without the support from the public. Although the public at large take a well-deserved break from their busy schedules in December, patients with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer do not take a break from their disease. They still need blood and blood products to survive. Similarly, the festive season is a time when more road accidents take place, which is why we ask South Africans to lend a helping vein and join in the spirit of giving,” says Stephanie Fourie, donor services manager of the Free State and Northern Cape region.

Blood donor clinics will be held at the following venues with OFM presenters tentatively allocated:

• Mimosa Mall in Bloemfontein – Christie Hansen and Pieter Moller
• Diamond Pavillion in Kimberley – Kobus Kolver & Meloni Munro
• Liberty Square in Welkom – Tim Thabethe and Dean Ririe
• Vaal Mall in Vanderbijlpark – Nico van der Westhuizen
• River Square in Vereeniging – Angie Khumalo
• West Acres in Potchefstroom – James Kilbourn

Blood donors can also donate at blood donor centres in Upington, Bethlehem, Kroonstad and Klerksdorp.

Blood donors have to be between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh 50kg or more and lead a sexually safe lifestyle.