For the past thirty years Westerford High School has hosted a quarterly blood clinic.

The programme runs during a school day when learners and staff can donate their blood for a very good cause. Each person donates one pint, about a half a litre, of blood to the Western Province Blood Service. It is important that the participants must be over the age of seventeen and weigh 50 kg or more. This marks the healthy and stable age for youngsters to donate blood as they are mentally and physically mature enough.

This initiative was started by one of our deputy principles Mr. John Broster. He started donating blood at the age of seventeen and from then on made it his duty to keep doing this. Mr. Broster organized the first school-based clinic, thirty years ago. From then on blood clinics have been happening at other schools as they followed this trend.

It has been proven that one donation can save five people’s lives. Mr. Broster has donated 179 times, each time donating one pint. He has saved 897 lives in total. He sets a perfect example to the many students at Westerford, and must definitely be commended on his extraordinary achievement.

Each term about forty people sign up to give blood and make a difference. The urgency that the students possess, to donate, is really amazing and shows great support for our South African community.

Blood is a miraculous gift to offer and we encourage everyone to get involved with blood donations.