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Press Release

South Africa celebrates Blood Donor Month during June and the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) is hosting three special Blood Donation Drives on World Blood Donor Day (Saturday, 14 June 2008) at shopping centres across the metropolitan area to raise awareness of the need for safe blood across the globe.

Access to a safe and sufficient blood supply is the right of any South African, but this important resource can only be provided with the aid of volunteers from the community itself. It has been proven internationally that regular, voluntary donors are the safest source of blood and the foundation of a sustainable supply.

"World Blood Donor Day recognises the thousands of selfless individuals who commit to save or improve the lives of people whom they will never meet and to inspire others to make blood donation a part of their lifestyle," said Lynn Erasmus, spokesperson for the WPBTS.

Increased awareness of the need for regular blood donation to continually replenish a safe blood supply is essential because blood and blood products have a short shelf life compared to many other medical products.

Details for the donation drives:

Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, Willie van Schoor Drive, Bellville: Centre Court Arena

N1 City Mall, Louwtjie Rothman Street, Goodwood: B Court Promotions area by the escalators

Cavendish Square, Dreyer Street, Claremont: Events Room, lower ground floor

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.

World Blood Donor Day celebrations are made possible with the generous participation of Good Hope FM that will host a live outside broadcast from Tyger Valley centre on the day as well as the provision of space by all three shopping centres to host the Donation Drives.

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