The hunt is on – not for Easter eggs – but for blood donors! The March/April school and Easter holidays are traditionally a difficult blood collection period. For this reason Western Cape blood donors are urged to donate blood.
“Blood donation decreases during Easter, while the demand from hospitals stays the same or even increase due to road accidents. Many regular donors take a short holiday and all the public holidays also mean that we have fewer opportunities to collect blood”, says Marlize van der Merwe, WP Blood Transfusion Service’s (WPBTS) Corporate Public Relations Officer and Spokesperson. Easter is often a time for family and donating blood is a great way to give someone else more time with theirs.
A special call to action is made to all those persons with Group O blood. During times of increased pressure on blood stocks, even greater pressure is placed on emergency blood stocks, which mainly comprises of Group O blood.
WPBTS will host blood donation clinics over the Easter weekend on:
Saturday, 26 March:
N1 City Mall from 09:00 – 15:00; Blue Route Mall from 09:00 – 15:00; and Cape Gate Centre from 10:00 – 15:00
Sunday, 27 March:
N1 City Mall from 09:00 – 12:00; and Blue Route Mall from 09:00 – 12:00
Monday, 28 March:
N1 City Mall from 09:00 – 12:00; and Blue Route Mall 09:00 – 12:00
Alternative clinics to be hosted throughout the Western Cape can be viewed on the website at www.wpblood.org.za.
Any person older than 16 years, weighing more than 50kg and who leads a healthy, safe lifestyle can donate blood. Donors must remember to eat three to four hours before donating blood and increase their fluid intake before, during and after blood donation.
For more information, SMS “Blood” to 33507 and the WP Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) will call you back with information on where to donate. Donors can also call (021) 507 6300, e-mail info@wpbts.org.za or visit www.wpblood.org.za. Like us on Facebook (WP Blood) or follow us on Twitter (@WPBlood) for interesting facts and blood stock updates.