Western Cape – 17 June 2025: In celebration of Youth Day, the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is proud to unveil its refreshed youth campaign, ՙMake Your Mark՚, in partnership with renowned Cape Town creative, Bushy Wopp. This bold new visual identity is designed to reignite interest in blood donation among young people aged 16 to 25 and secure the future of a safe, sustainable blood supply.
From our active donor base of 68 500, youth aged between the age of 16 to 25 currently make up approximately only 14850 donors. These numbers pose a risk to the future sustainability of our blood supply, as a strong youth donor base is essential for long-term stability. In response, WCBS is launching a vibrant, youth-driven campaign that speaks directly to the next generation of donors.
“We’re not just launching a campaign. We’re inviting young people to be part of a movement,” says Marike Carli, Public Relations Manager at WCBS. “Today’s youth are driven by purpose. They want to be heard, recognised, and part of something that matters. ‘Make Your Mark’ is about giving them the space to do that while saving lives.”
To bring this vision to life, WCBS is collaborating with Bushy Wopp, a Cape Town-based artist known for his dynamic, street-savvy style and strong visual storytelling. His work connects with youth in a way that’s bold, relevant, and impossible to ignore. From walls to timelines, Bushy Wopp’s signature style cuts through the clutter, and that’s precisely what WCBS need to reach a generation that is used to being bombarded with content. “Blood donation doesn’t have to be boring,” says Bushy Wopp. “It’s powerful. It’s brave. It’s a way to change lives literally. I wanted the visuals to reflect that energy and help young people feel proud about stepping up.”
The ՙMake Your Mark՚ campaign introduces an energetic and youth-centric look and feel across all campaign materials, from posters and social media content to clinic banners and giveaways. Through this rebrand, WCBS aims to change perceptions around blood donation, showing that it’s not just for the older generation but a superb, accessible and impactful choice for any young person wanting to do good.
The campaign will officially roll out this Youth Day at high school and university blood donation clinics, with Bushy Wopp’s artwork featured prominently throughout. WCBS hopes the refreshed approach will not only attract first-time donors but also build a culture of regular donation among young people.
“Youth Day reminds us of the power young people have to shape the future,” says Marike Carli. “With ‘Make Your Mark’, we’re handing them the pen.”
