Atlas Copco South Africa once again commemorated Madiba’s birthday with a full calendar of community and staff activities on 18th July 2014. “We always plan community initiatives on Mandela Day and this year, as part of our Winter Drive, we asked staff to donate blankets for two Care Centres that we have partnered with for many years,” says Corporate Communications Manager, Kgothatso Masekela. But this year we also decided to do something for our staff,” “Shivanie Lutchman from South African National Blood Services visited our head office in Jet Park, Gauteng, to offer blood grouping.”

To determine a person’s blood type, of which there are eight (A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+ and AB-) requires a very simple test. A small and painless finger prick followed by a blood coagulation test reveal a person’s blood type within minutes. Shivanie explains that people in the AB blood group are universal recipients which means they can safely receive any blood type. People in the very rare O- blood group are universal donors which means their blood can be given to anyone. “There are a number of reasons why it is important to know what blood group you belong to,” says Shivanie. “Critical time can be saved during an emergency blood transfusion if the medical staff know your blood group. Secondly, certain foods are more or less nutritional depending on your blood group so knowing your blood group can lead to a healthier body.”

The blood grouping proved to be very popular with Atlas Copco staff and soon a long queue formed in front of Shivanie. Most staff members said that they had forgotten their blood type and just wanted to be reminded what it was.But quite a number of people said this was the first time that they have done blood grouping and that they did not know what their blood type was. Quite a few people indicated that they would donate blood and Kgothatso is arranging a blood donation day at Atlas Copco in the near future.  Atlas Copco staff can always be counted on and it was no different when it came to the appeal for blankets. “Thanks to the generosity of our staff, we were able to hand out arm loads of blankets to St Francis Care Centre around the corner from us on the East Rand as well as to Vita Nova Cerebral Palsy Centre in Springs.

St Francis Care Centre was established in 1992 and runs a 48-bed hospice for terminally ill patients as well as a home and school for up to 30 orphaned children from birth to seven years. Upon receiving the blankets from Atlas Copco, Tilly Brouwer said that non-profit organisations like St Francis rely on dependable companies such as Atlas Copco in order to survive.  “We are so grateful to Atlas Copco’s support over the past seven years and are also thrilled that Atlas Copco has once again approved funding for our Centre. This funding is invaluable in helping to create futures for our children.”

Atlas Copco has also assisted the Vita Nova Cerebral Palsy Centre over the past six years with upgrades and extensions. Vita Nova, which means ‘New Life’, was established in 1977 by the Eastern Transvaal Cerebral Palsy Association (ETCPA) who recognised the needs of children and adults suffering from severe cerebral palsy. The Centre also cares for people with other disabilities including Autism and Down Syndrome. Director, Michelle Immelman, explains that the day-to-day running of the Centre to take care of the needs of the 110 patients aged between three and 71 years demands a lot of resources and funding. Michelle was delighted when Atlas Copco staff arrived with blankets. Michelle extended a sincere thank you to Atlas Copco staff on behalf of all the patients and staff at Vita Nova “for always remembering us. “We cannot do without your support. Thank you Atlas Copco.”

A subsidiary of the global Atlas Copco Engineering Group, Atlas Copco South Africa lives the Group’s values of innovation, interaction and commitment in its daily activities.

“People, both staff and the broader community, are core to our business,” says Kgothatso, “By getting involved in deserving community projects we are able to give back and help people in need. We believe that the value of our support lies in sustainability and this is why we have formed long-term partnerships with both St Francis and Vita Nova. We are in the privileged position to be able to see how our donations are put to use for maintenance, improvements, upgrades, etc. This is what makes our involvement a truly worthwhile and rewarding experience,” concludes Kgothatso.