By Bongiwe Sipunzi

It was not your typical invasion, but just hundreds of students rolling up their sleeves for a good cause. In September and October, we brought a massive dose of energy and fun to Maties and UWC with the Make Your Mark Varsity Invasion Campaign. The campaign aimed at recruiting 250 new blood donors. Together with Heart FM and other lifestyle brands, we certainly took over campus and showed young people that donating blood can be both meaningful and fun.

We kicked things off at UWC from 30 September to 2 October, where students brought incredible energy. For many, it was their first time donating blood, and seeing their excitement and pride was nothing short of inspiring. By the end of the three days, 183 units of blood were collected, with 102 first-time donors stepping forward. Maties followed shortly after, keeping the momentum going. Once again, students showed up in numbers, collecting 276 units of blood and 97 new donors. Overall, we welcomed 199 new blood donors into our life-saving family. Yes, it’s 51 short of our overall target, but we celebrate each win and always aim for the stars.

We want to thank everyone who made the campaign such a success, from our partners at Heart FM and lifestyle brands to campus teams and student ambassadors who went above and beyond. Most importantly, thank you to every student who rolled up their sleeve to make their mark.

This campaign wasn’t just about numbers; it was about igniting a lasting culture of giving. Every new student donor helps secure the future of blood donation in our province, ensuring that lifesaving blood is always available when it’s needed most.