Western Cape – 12 May 2026: The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is urgently appealing to the public to donate blood this week as blood stocks across the province come under increasing pressure.
Following Monday’s Level 8 weather warning, the service was unable to collect the number of units required to meet hospital demand across the province. WCBS needs to collect 700 units of blood every day to maintain a stable blood supply.
Blood groups O-negative and O-positive are currently under the greatest strain with O-positive at only a three-day supply and O-negative at just a two-day supply.
“Winter is traditionally a challenging period for maintaining a five-day blood stock level across all blood groups due to colds, flu and school holidays,” says Marike Carli, Public Relations Manager at WCBS. “The Level 8 weather warning has added additional pressure to an already vulnerable blood supply. We are appealing to all eligible donors to make blood donation a priority this week to help ensure blood stocks meet hospital demand.”
Several blood donation clinics were cancelled or temporarily closed on Monday and Tuesday due to severe weather conditions, school closures, and venue accessibility challenges. All blood donation centres across the province are currently open, and WCBS will communicate any further operational changes directly to donors and on social media.
If you are between 16 and 75, weigh 50kg or more, are in good general health, and lead a safe sexual lifestyle, you should be able to donate. Donors are advised to eat a substantial meal within three to four hours before visiting a clinic and to increase their fluid intake before, during, and after donation. Blood donation only takes 30 minutes of your time and you can donate blood every 56 days.
For more information or to find your closest blood donation clinic, visit www.wcbs.org.za, or send a WhatsApp to 060 549 7244 (scan QR code below). Follow the Western Cape Blood Service, thewcbsofficial, @the_WCBS, on social media for updates.
Do something remarkable: donate blood.
Distributed by the Western Cape Blood Service
Public Relations Manager – Marike Carli
0718563625 | marike@wcbs.org.za
About the Western Cape Blood Service:
The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is a non-profit regional health organisation, dedicated to collecting blood from voluntary blood donors, and providing the safest blood products and efficient service to the community, while operating at the highest professional and ethical standards and remaining a viable organisation. WCBS works without prejudice to supply safe blood and blood products to all communities in the region, from Cape Town all the way up to George. It’s our goal to deliver a world-class blood service in the Western Cape.
