Media Fact Sheet

Who Are We?

The Western Cape Blood Service is a non-profit, independent organisation operating throughout the Western Cape. We work 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 be the benchmark transfusion service in South Africa.

Our Mission Statement

Western Cape Blood Service is a community based regional health organisation formed by an association of voluntary blood donors, dedicated to 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.

Our Vision Statement

To maintain a Blood Service that is appropriate to the needs of the South African Community. To be prepared to extend the service to provide for wider regional or national needs and to provide leadership in transfusion practice.

Accreditation

  • South African National Accreditation System (SANAS)
  • Safe Working Practice (SWP)

Key Messages

  • Do something remarkable – donate blood.
  • You can save up to 3 lives with one donation.
  • It only takes 30 minutes every two months to help save a life.

Basic Donor Criteria

  • You have to be older than 16 and younger than 75 years.
  • You need to weigh more than 50kg.
  • You must be healthy on the day of donation (no colds or flu).
  • Lead a safe sexual lifestyle.

Blood Groups

Blood Usage

Whole blood is rarely used in its donated state. Whole blood 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 constituent parts: plasma, platelets and red cells. This means that one unit of blood (a single donation of 475ml) can potentially save up to three lives.

Red blood cells are used to replace losses as a result of accidents, trauma, childbirth and surgery, as well as for burn victims. They are also essential in the treatment of various kinds of anaemia linked to cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as sickle cell anaemia. These essential cells must be used within 42 days of donation if fresh, but can also be frozen for longer periods.

Plasma is the liquid component of blood that contains essential nutrients and proteins. It is used primarily as a source for clotting factors, the replacement of blood volume and the production of albumin, a protein used to treat severe shock, burns and blood loss. Fresh frozen plasma has a shelf life of one year and is used during cardiac surgery and childbirth.

Cryoprecipitate is a small portion of plasma that is harvested using a freeze-thaw process. It contains factors to help blood clot and is used primarily as a source of clotting factor VIII for patients with classic haemophilia.

Stabilised human serum is used for the treatment of burn wounds and hypovolaemia (decreased blood volume).

Platelets help blood clot and are used to treat patients with bone marrow production problems, and in the treatment of illnesses such as leukaemia. Platelets must be harvested within eight hours of donation and are stored at room temperature in a gently agitated state so as to be functional when transfused. They must be used within five days of donation.

Offices

Head Office

Phone 021 507 6300 | Fax 021 531 0322 Email info@wcbs.org.za Address 1 Oude Molen Road, Ndabeni Postal Address PO Box 79, Howard Place, 7450

Paarl Regional Office

Phone 021 871 1030 | Fax 021 872 5945 Address 27 Zandwyk Industrial Park, Old Paarl Road, Paarl, 7646 Postal Address PO Box 422, Paarl, 7620

Worcester Regional Office

Phone 023 342 2450 | Fax 023 342 7556 Address 26 Napier Street, Worcester Postal Address PO Box 194, Worcester 6849

George Regional Office

Phone 044 874 2074 | Fax 044 874 6097 Address The Medical Centre, Courtenay Street, George Postal Address PO Box, 65, George, 6530

Established

October 1938

Employees

530

Fixed Site Donation Clinics

We have 3 fixed sites at N1 City Mall Shop38, Blue Route Mall Shop G56 and 9 Long Street.
Visit the Where can I donate? page for more information.

Registered Donors

81806

Active Donors

68953

Daily Target

700 units of blood

Collection

147 684 units of blood yearly

Blood Donation Process

The whole process will take approximately 30 minutes.

  1. Fill in the confidential donor questionnaire (personal details, health and lifestyle) completely and honestly.
  2. Your details are captured.
  3. Confidential interview – for new donors and when required.
  4. A finger prick test is done to check your haemoglobin level – 12.5g/dl for women and 13.5g/dl for men.
  5. Collect your blood bag and proceed to the donation bed.
  6. Your blood pressure and pulse are checked.
  7. Donate your unit (approximately 475ml) of lifesaving blood. New, sterile equipment is used for every donation.
  8. Samples are taken. We test your blood group, and for HIV, hepatitis B & C and syphilis with every donation.
  9. Enjoy some refreshments – you are remarkable and deserve it!

Contact Information

Phone 021 507 6300 SMS Blood to 33507 (SMS costs R1.50)
Email info@wcbs.org.za Website www.wcbs.org.za
Facebook The WCBS Twitter @The_WCBS Instagram @thewcbs  WCBS App Android, Apple

Hashtags

#ShareYourHeart
#DonateBlood
#DoSomethingRemarkable
#BloodDonor
#BeAHero
#CommitTo2020
#Isegazini
#Youngbloodsaveslives