The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) continues to celebrate its heroes, the blood donors in the Western Cape, and inspire others to follow suit with their winter campaign from May to August. They pay tribute to each donor who saves lives through blood donation, and donors that successfully donate a unit of blood will receive a limited-edition pair of hero-inspired socks as a small token of appreciation – while stocks last.
“With the continued cold weather in the Western Cape, we still see the effects on our blood stocks,” says Marike Carli, Public Relations Manager at WCBS. The O-negative blood stock levels remain critically low at a two-day supply and O-positive at three days. WCBS encourages everyone to help support the many patients who need blood during this crucial period by braving the cold and finding their closest blood donation clinic to donate blood.
Blood donation only takes 30 minutes of your time every 56 days. It requires you to be between 16 and 75, weigh 50 kg or more, be in good general health and lead a safe sexual lifestyle. It does not cause you any bodily harm – only 475 ml of blood is taken, and this is replaced within 24 hours. Carli advises donors to eat a substantial meal within the three to four hours before visiting a clinic and to increase their fluid intake before, during and after donation. Donors are advised to refrain from over-exerting themselves after donating.
“As our hero theme comes to an end in August, we would like to remind everyone that you, too, can be a mighty hero by saving three lives with one blood donation,” Carli added. For more information or to find your closest blood donation clinic, visit www.wcbs.org.za, download the WCBS App, or send a WhatsApp to 060 549 7244.
Do something remarkable, donate blood.
