In an effort to educate the public about blood donations, the Western Cape Blood Service will be doing blood type pop-ups at local malls this October.
Cape Town, South Africa (05 October 2022) – Did you know that the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) has 5 fixed blood donation centres in the Cape Metropole, 4 of which are conveniently situated in popular shopping malls?
The fixed blood donation centres are a convenient option for blood donors since they are open between Monday and Friday, and in some cases, even Saturdays and Sundays. Most of us find ourselves in a mall, sometime during the month, why not save up to 3 lives and donate blood?
WCBS tries to make blood donation accessible to everyone. As the need for blood and blood products increased over the years, so did the need to open new blood donation centres.
To serve the Cape Town City Bowl, WCBS opened its first fixed blood donation centre in Long Street in 2005. Since then, they’ve opened the N1 City blood donation centre and Blue Route Mall blood donation centre in 2013.
In 2021 they’ve opened the 4th fixed blood donation centre at Kenilworth Centre, and shortly after that, they opened their doors at Cape Gate Mall.
These 5 fixed blood donation centres aim to collect 43 000 units annually, each with a target of between 25 and 40 units of blood a day, ultimately contributing to the overall target of collecting 700 units of blood a day.
“WCBS knows that you are busy, and they know it might not always be easy to find the most convenient blood donation clinic, but they are here to help. In the month of October, they will launch the ‘We need you here’ campaign. This campaign aims to show donors how easy it is to go and donate at any one of the fixed blood donation centres.”
Find them at:
- Kenilworth Centre (Donation Centre Next to Dis-Chem)
- Monday – Friday 10:00 – 17:45
- Cape Gate Shopping Centre (Donation Centre @ Entrance 3)
- Monday – Friday 10:00 – 17:45
- Blue Route Mall (Donation Centre @ Shop G56 Next to Standard Bank)
- Monday – Friday 10:00 – 17:45
- Saturdays – 09:00 – 14:45
- N1 City Mall (Donation Centre @ Shop 36 Near Checkers Entrance)
- Monday – Friday 10:00 – 17:45
- Saturdays – 09:00 – 14:45
- Sundays – 09:00 – 12:45
- The other blood donation centre is situated in the City Bowl and you can find them at 9 Long Street.
- Tuesday – Friday – 08:00 – 15:45
During October there will also be various blood group activations at different shopping centres. Potential donors will be able to find out what their blood group is. The aim of these activations is to educate the public about the importance of blood donation and their specific blood group. To find an activation close to you, visit our social media @The_WCBS.
They will also end the month on a high note, hosting the 1 day – 10 malls – 1000 units of blood campaign. This event will take place on Saturday, 29 October, from 09:00 – 16:00 at 10 participating malls across the Western Cape.
“Next time you are busy doing your monthly shopping at any of these malls, please pop in at any of our fixed blood donation centres and donate blood”, says Marike Gevers, Public Relations Manager at WCBS.
If you are between the ages of 16 and 75, weigh 50kg or more, are in good general health, and lead a safe sexual lifestyle, you should be able to donate. Blood donation has never been this easy.
For more information or an alternative blood donation clinic, visit www.wcbs.org.za/blood-donation/, send a WhatsApp to 060 549 7244 or download the WCBS App.
We need you here. Do something remarkable. Donate blood.
by 