The SANBS comes to Flow ... it’s a bloodbath!

Flow’s November Blood Drive saw Flowstars, clients and friends willingly rolling up their sleeves and bleeding for a good cause. A total of 21 units of blood were collected at our Johannesburg office by the SA National Blood Service.

“Earlier this year, we organised a blood donation drive at our Flow Jozi office as our contribution to Mandela Day,” explains Flow CEO Tara Turkington. “We had a fabulous turnout of both our staff and clients, and now giving blood regularly has become a Flow institution.

“It’s wonderful to watch our ‘playroom’ being transformed into a blood donation clinic from early in the morning, complete with stretchers and, of course, a juice and cookie table. The sense of camaraderie is awesome, as is the knowledge that one donation can apparently save up to eight lives.”

Flowstar Kevin Collins is a regular blood donor, and today’s drive marks the fourth time he’s given blood this year.

“I have been a blood donor for many years,” he says. “Having SANBS right here at Flow is a massive convenience for me. Plus I got a fabulous picnic blanket as a thank-you for my fourth donation in 2012, which I intend to take with me to Cape Town at the end of the year for a picnic in the Company’s Garden.”

Caroline Smith, of Flow PR, was delighted to host client Federal-Mogul at the blood drive.

“It’s amazing to have clients who support us on so many levels,” she says. “Federal-Mogul sent double the number of donors this time, which is truly encouraging.”

Etana’s Kurt Solomon has become a regular at the Flow Blood Drive.

“We love working with Flow and truly appreciate everything they do for us,” he says. “Over and above being a great digital media partner, they’re one of the longest and strongest supporters of the annual daREDevil run. It’s a no-brainer that we’ll always be prepared to jump in and support this fantastic initiative.”

“Thanks so much to all the Flowstars, past and present, who donate every 50-something days, and to our amazing clients, who bleed so generously with us,” says Tara. “If you haven’t been to a Flow Blood Drive, please come and bleed with us next time (in late January or February 2013). We’ll keep you posted.”

Visit the Flow Communications Flickr group page for more pics of the November 2012 Blood Drive, and find out more about the SANBS team that came to take our blood in our blog entitled “What is a phlebotomist?”