Bikers roll up their sleeves for annual blood run

After taking a three-year break due to Covid-19, bikers from all over the Western Cape were able to once again gather and donate blood at the annual Black Angels Motorcycle Club Blood Drive.

Some 85 pints of blood were collected at the blood-donation clinic, which was held at the Vasco Da Gama Sports Club in Parow, on Saturday November 26.

The Black Angels motorcycle club was established in Athlone in 1978. According to it’s road captain, Dorian Wills, this is the club’s 16th year hosting the blood run.

“The reason we do the blood run is because during December, the silly season, there are lots of accidents and everyone needs blood. Just a pint from somebody can save three lives.”

The event was held in partnership with the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS).

“This partnership has been around for a couple of years. It’s been a good partnership, and this drive has been a huge success, as we anticipated,“ said Vuyo Mguli, WCBS spokesperson.

People between the ages of 16 and 75 are eligible to donate blood, provided they are in good health and weigh more than 50kg.

Mr Wills, who joined the Black Angels in 2001, said the funds raised during the event supported various charity initiatives.

“In the morning, we have the blood donations and in the evening we have a jol just to thank everyone for participating,” Mr Wills said.

The event featured live music, an outdoor play area and prizes for the best represented biker club at the blood run.

“We try and draw all the bikers from the different clubs in the Western Cape to donate to get our blood stocks up because it’s not only for bikers, it’s for everyone else that requires blood,” Mr Wills said.

Donors from different motorcycle clubs attended the event.

“We belong to the Motorcycle Association of the Western Cape. Most of the bike clubs belong to that association and we all support each other’s events,” Mr Wills said.

Collin Mama, from the Braveheartz motorcycle club, said they donated blood at the blood drive annually.

The blood they were donating might benefit them or their families in the future, he said.

“That’s why we are doing it, to help out, so that we can be helped when we are lying in an accident and need blood, I think that is the main drive,“ Mr Mama said.

Milicia “Pinky” Healing, from Retreat, has been riding a motorbike since the age of 15. She is a regular blood donor but was unable to donate earlier this year due to an injury.

“Instead of going the normal blood donating route I decided to wait for the Black Angels blood drive and donate with my people, the bikers, this is my family,” she said while cracking a joke about being at a blood drive after recently joining a motorcycle club called Bad Blood.

Fatima Price, a Black Angels member from Lansdowne, urged everyone to donate.

“Every time they call me they are always telling me that they are in need of my blood type. Please, people, donate blood.It is the silly season so we need your blood,“ she said.