Cape Town, 06 October 2025 – The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) officially marks Plasma Awareness Week this October, celebrating the vital role plasma plays in sustaining the lives of patients across the province. This week, WCBS renews its call for new and returning donors to participate in its ‘Give Someone a Lifeline’ campaign.
Plasma, the golden liquid portion of blood, makes up about half of our blood volume and carries essential proteins such as antibodies and clotting factors. These proteins help blood to clot, fight infection, and maintain healthy blood pressure. For many patients — including those recovering from trauma, burns, or surgery, and those managing chronic conditions like haemophilia or immune deficiencies — plasma is more than a treatment; it’s a lifeline.
“Every year, Plasma Awareness Week allows us to shine a spotlight on the incredible impact our donors have on patients who need plasma,” says Marike Carli, Public Relations Manager at WCBS. “The need for plasma is constant and critical. Through plasma donations, we can create therapies that help patients who can’t produce the antibodies or clotting factors their bodies need to survive. These donations truly keep patients alive.”
Unlike whole blood donation, plasma donation is performed through a process called apheresis. During the procedure, blood is drawn into a specialised machine that separates the plasma and safely returns the rest of the blood components to the donor. Each session takes about 40 minutes, and donors can donate plasma every two weeks — making it one of the most effective ways to make a recurring difference.
The ‘Give Someone a Lifeline’ campaign serves as a reminder of the personal and lifesaving impact of every donation. WCBS encourages all eligible individuals to book an appointment and experience the rewarding act of plasma donation.
“We are excited to welcome both new and existing loyal donors to either start their donation journey or continue to reach their milestones during Plasma Awareness Week,” adds Marike. By taking a small amount of time to donate your whole blood or plasma, you are literally giving someone the chance to live.”
Where Can You Donate Plasma?
Plasma donation is available by appointment at the following blood donation centres from 09:00 – 17:00 on weekdays:
• Blue Route Mall
• Kenilworth Shopping Centre
• 9 Long Street
• N1 City Shopping Centre
(Some donation centres offer additional days or different times, which may be confirmed directly on our website.)
Distributed by the Western Cape Blood Service
Public Relations Manager – Marike Carli
0718563625 | marike@wcbs.org.za
About the Western Cape Blood Service:
The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is a non-profit regional health organisation, dedicated to collecting blood from voluntary blood donors, and providing the safest blood products and efficient service to the community, while operating at the highest professional and ethical standards and remaining a viable organisation. WCBS works without prejudice to supply safe blood and blood products to all communities in the region, from Cape Town all the way up to George. It’s our goal to deliver a world-class blood service in the Western Cape.
