‘Donating the Most Units of Blood in One Day by a Town’ is the title category that Engen Penford, Uitenhage has applied for in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record.
 
The record breaking is set to take place on Friday, 6 October 2017 from 09h00 until 18h00. Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Mayor, Athol Trollip will be on hand to officially open the blood drive.
 
The owner of Engen Penford, Gerrit Meyer and organiser of the event, Marthinus Greyling want to ensure that Engen Penford’s annual blood drive makes a real difference.
 
In order to break the record, the community of Uitenhage and the neighbouring surrounds need to donate 150 pints of blood.
 
“We would love everyone to help us put Uitenhage on the world map and come and donate blood on the day,” says Meyer.
 
Greyling says that the inaugural Uitenhage Walk for Cancer is to mark Cancer Awareness month in October. It will be held a day after the blood drive with all profits going to the Igazi Foundation, an NPO based at the Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital.
 
“Uitenhage Walk for Cancer will be held on the 7 October 2017 and will start at 08:00am,” says Greyling. “We are aiming for 5 000 entries at a cost of R30 per adult entry and R20 per child.”
 
The objective of the two events is to create awareness about the necessity of donating blood as well as about cancer.
 
“Over the festive season, which is fast approaching, blood is in high in demand.  As a business, and a brand with integrity, we want to show our community and the world that we are giving back the gift of life. Someday, somewhere in our life-time we all might need blood which is why we are all obligated to help in any way that we can,” says Meyer.
 
Engen’s manager of corporate social investment, Mntu Nduvane says the company fully supports the blood drive because it plays such a vital part in saving people’s lives and is proud to be associated with the Uitenhage Big Walk for Cancer initiative.
 
“As Engen we fully support and encourage our service station owners to roll up their sleeves and engage with their local communities. We wish Engen Penford every success in setting this exciting new Guinness World Record.”