Western Provice Blood Transfusion Service

			Press Release

Press Release

21 April 2008
Volunteers needed to donate blood during back to back long weekends

While the pending Freedom Day and Worker's Day long weekends present most Capetonians with the opportunity to take a well deserved break, the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) will be hard at work to ensure that the province's blood supply remains stable.

The blood donation drives are essential to ensure a sufficient supply of blood and blood platelets (an important component in the treatment of leukaemia and other bleeding disorders) over both long weekends.

With only two working days between the two weekends, WPBTS expects a drop in attendance at its regular donation sessions as many people go on leave. This, coupled with the closure of commercial and industrial institutions that the Service relies on during a normal working week, necessitates alternative arrangements that will counter the slump during this time.

"In line with our philosophy to make blood donation as convenient as possible for blood donors who commit their time and effort to the cause, we are partnering with shopping centres across the metropole to host donation drives that make it possible for people to combine their weekend outing to the mall with a donation session," said Ms Lynn Erasmus, spokesperson for WPBTS.

Freedom Day long weekend donation drive on Saturday, 26 April 2008:

N1 City Mall shopping centre, Louwtjie Rothman Drive, Goodwood. Promotional Court under the escalators, close to Foschini. 10.00am — 14.30pm

Workers Day long weekend blood donation clinics on Friday, 02 May 2008:

Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, Shop 126, entrance 6, ground floor, 10.00am — 15.00pm
Kenilworth Centre, Caravan at Main entrance, Doncaster Rd, Claremont, 10.00am — 16.00pm
Parow Centre, Exhibition Area Woolworths/Game, Voortrekker Road, Parow, 10.30am — 14.45pm
Tokai on Main Shopping Centre, Blood Donor Caravan, Main Road, Tokai, 10.00am — 14.30pm
Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Boardroom, Ground Floor, Alexandra Road, Pinelands, 10.00am — 15.00pm
Cape Town CBD, Blood Donor Centre, 22 Long Street, 10.00am — 15.00pm

Any person older than 17 years, weighing more than 50kg and who leads healthy, safe lifestyle can donate blood. Donors must remember to eat before donating blood.

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