• Home
• About us
  • History
  • Mission / Vision
  • Standards of Practice
  • Governance
  • Annual Report
  • Access to Info
• Donors
  • General Info
  • Types of Donors
    • Regular donors
    • Platelet donors
    • Autologous/Designated
    • Senior Citizens
  • Donor Questionaire
  • Clinic Schedules
  • Enrol as donor
• General
  • Groups
  • How blood is used
  • Questions
  • Tourists
• News
  • Press Releases
  • Photo gallery
  • Newsletter
• Doctors
  • Clinician's site
• Contacting us
  • Regions
  • Contact us
  • Update your details

Press Release

The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) will host special blood donation sessions in the Tygerberg area on Monday, 30 April 2007 to boost depleted supplies after the Freedom Day long weekend.

During holiday times the normal collection of blood and related products is disrupted as many regular donors go away on holiday.

According to Lynn Erasmus, WPBTS spokesperson, blood is specifically required for the production of platelets, used for the treatment of leukaemia and other bleeding disorders.

"Platelet concentrates are prepared from whole blood within eight hours of collection and lasts only five days under special storage conditions. It requires careful planning to ensure that the WPBTS sustains its supplies over a long weekend," said Erasmus.

Any person older than 17 years, weighing more than 50kg and who leads healthy lifestyle (sexual and otherwise) can donate blood.

Donors and prospective donors are welcome to come to the clinic but they are reminded to be unconditionally honest on their donor questionnaire as one inaccurate or false answer could jeopardise the lives of a number of recipients.

For more information, contact the Western Province Blood Transfusion Services on tel (021) 507 6300, e-mail info@wpbts.org.za