The 2011 Census results indicated that there are almost six million people living within the Western Cape.  However, less than 1.5% of the population in the Western Cape are blood donors.

This is a worrying statistic for the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS).  “As the population in the Western Cape is ever increasing and access to medical care is becoming easier, we need more blood donors to fulfill the demand for safe blood and blood products”, says Marlize van der Merwe, WPBTS Corporate Public Relations Officer. 

The September edition of the WPBTS Blood Buzz is now available here!

The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) relies on the altruism of thousands of blood donors to ensure it continually has stocks of the correct blood type to help treat critically ill patients.  In the Western Cape alone the Service has to collect 700 units of blood daily to meet the need of patients.

During the week of 15 to 21 August 2016, WPBTS will be participating with 21 countries in an international awareness campaign to encourage more people to register as blood donors and donate blood.

You are kind, generous and brave. You give unselfishly of yourself to provide for your loved ones. You are a remarkable woman. Therefore the WP Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) wishes all our female donors a joyful and prosperous Women’s Month.

WPBTS is committed to the health and safety of the recipient, as well as the donor. Therefore various precautions are taken before a donor is able to donate blood. These precautions lead to women having a few extra hurdles to overcome should they wish to donate blood. 

Mandela Day is celebrated internationally on 18 July in remembrance of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who served as our President from 1994 to 1999.  It was unanimously decided by the UN General Assembly to launch Mandela Day on Nelson Mandela’s birthday of 18 July 2009.  This day is more than a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy – it is a global movement to honour his life’s work and change for the better.

On 14 June 2016, Blood Services from across the globe will celebrate World Blood Donor Day.  Carrying the 2016 theme of “Blood connects us all”, this day will focus on thanking blood donors for the selfless effort they make in donating blood, as well as highlighting the dimensions of “sharing” and “connection” between blood donors and patients. 

Blood Donor Month is celebrated annually in June with various events taking place to raise awareness for the need for safe blood. It is also a time to thank existing voluntary blood donors for their gift of life to thousands of unknown recipients.

Group O under great pressure in the Province

The Western Cape’s group O blood supply is under severe pressure and has reached a level of a mere 1 - 2 days. 

Group O-blood is compatible with all other blood groups and most often used in cases of emergency. The decline in blood stocks can be attributed to past public holidays and long weekends, which results in limited access to blood donors.

The hunt is on – not for Easter eggs – but for blood donors!  The March/April school and Easter holidays are traditionally a difficult blood collection period.  For this reason Western Cape blood donors are urged to donate blood.

On 01 March 2012 all the provisions of the National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003, (“the Act”) came into effect and accordingly the Minister in terms of section 90(1) read with section 68(1) promulgated Regulation GNR. 180 of 2 March 2012: Regulations: General control of human bodies, tissue, blood, blood products and gametes (Government Gazette No.35099) (“Regulation 180”). In terms of Regulation 180 read with section 56 of the Act, blood may not be withdrawn from persons under the age of 18 years (“minors”) without consent from the parent/guardian of minors.