Province’s blood supply under pressure

By Mishkah Anthony
12 September 2008

The Western Province blood service has urged donors to attend blood donation sessions in order to alleviate the decline.

Due to the continuing cold weather and the number of people suffering with colds and flu, the service reported that they have just over a four day supply of the O blood group.

Western Province blood transfusion service’s Lynn Erasmus says the donor numbers have been declining over the last couple of weeks.

“To acquire a full five day supply, we certainly have some way to go and looking forward to Heritage day and the school holidays coming up to the end of the month we definitely need volunteers to attend the donation sessions.”

Western Cape blood transfusion service is holding donation services today at 10 am to 2:45pm at the Pick n Pay Centre in Table View, West Coast Village in Sunnydale, Promenade Shopping Centre in Mitchell’s Plain and at the Westgate Mall in Mitchell’s Plain.

Anyone who would love to donate must be between the ages of 17 and 65 years old, weigh more than 50kg and be in overall general good health. All donors must be leading a sexually safe lifestyle. Erasmus says all donors must remember to eat before attending donation clinics.

For more information call the Western Cape blood transfusion service on 021 507 6364