The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is urgently appealing to all eligible blood donors to donate blood as stocks continue to decline across the province.
According to a WCBS statement, O-negative blood stocks have dropped to a critically low one-day supply, while O-positive blood stocks are at only a three-day supply. The WCBS has its head office in Ndabeni, with satellite offices in Kenilworth, Tokai, Somerset West, Pinelands, and the Cape Town City Bowl.
The WCBS aims to maintain a stable five-day blood stock level to ensure hospitals across the Western Cape have sufficient blood available for emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatment, childbirth complications, and patients with chronic illnesses.
WCBS public relations manager Marike Carli said: “We urgently need blood donors, especially those with O-negative and O-positive blood groups. O-negative blood is particularly critical because it is the universal blood type used in emergencies when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood group.”
She added: “Blood donation only takes 30 minutes, and one donation can save up to three lives.”
The WCBS encourages all healthy and eligible donors to visit their nearest blood donation clinic as soon as possible.
People can donate blood if they:
- Are between the ages of 16 and 75
- Weigh 50kg or more
- Are in good general health
- Lead a safe sexual lifestyle
For more information or to find the nearest blood donation clinic, visit WCBS or send a WhatsApp message to 060 549 7244.