February is known, throughout the world, as the month of love. What better way to share your love with someone unknown to you, by donating blood at one of the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service’s (WPBTS) mobile or fixed clinics during this month? This month, you are someone’s type.

The Western Cape’s hospitals and clinics require approximately 700 units of blood each day. As blood cannot be artificially manufactured, the WPBTS solely rely on the support of volunteers every single day.

You might find yourself asking how blood is used once it’s been donated. Whole blood – the blood you give during donation – is rarely used in its donated state. It is only used in the case of severe blood loss due to surgery, trauma or for exchange transfusion in infants. Blood is mostly transfused in its main blood products, which consists of plasma, platelets and red cells. Thus, a single blood donation of 475ml can potentially save up to three lives! Red blood cells are used for the treatment of anaemia and bleeding after trauma or surgery; Plasma is used to treat burn wounds and bleeding disorders, restore blood volume and provide antibodies against infections; Platelets are used to correct low platelet counts, for example in the treatment of leukemia and cancer.

To make it as convenient as possible for our blood donors, various blood donation clinics takes place around the Western Cape. There are three permanent donation venues. Details are as follows:

Venue: 22 Long Street, Cape Town CBD
Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 08:30 to 16:30

Venue: N1 City Mall, Shop 38, Goodwood
Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 to 18:00; Saturdays from 09:00 to 15:00 and Sundays and Public Holidays from 09:00 to 12:00

Venue: Blue Route Mall, Shop G56, Tokai
Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 to 18:00; Saturdays from 09:00 to 15:00 and Sundays and Public Holidays from 09:00 to 12:00

Mobile clinic venues can be viewed on the WPBTS website at Where can I donate page

Blood donation takes only about 20 to 30 minutes of your time every 56 days. It requires you to be between the age of 16 and 65, be in good general health, weigh over 50 kilograms and lead a safe sexual lifestyle. Blood donation does not cause you any bodily harm, since only 475ml blood is taken.

Donate blood during this month of love. You are someone’s type!