Blood Stocks Under Pressure Following Adverse Weather Conditions in the Western Cape
The temporary closure of several blood donation clinics following Monday’s Level 8 weather warning has placed additional pressure on an already vulnerable winter blood supply. Western Cape, South Africa... The post Blood Stocks Under Pressure Following Adverse Weather Conditions in the Western Cape appeared first on Good Things Guy.
Black News 
The temporary closure of several blood donation clinics following Monday’s Level 8 weather warning has placed additional pressure on an already vulnerable winter blood supply.
Western Cape, South Africa (13 May 2026) – Following Monday’s Level 8 weather warning, the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) has been unable to collect enough units to meet hospital demand across the province –putting added strain on blood stocks at a time when patients still urgently need care.
Several blood donation clinics were cancelled or temporarily closed on Monday and Tuesday due to severe weather conditions, school closures and venue accessibility challenges.
As a result, the service is urgently appealing to the public to donate blood this week, as blood stocks across the province come under increasing pressure – helping hospitals continue to care for patients who rely on transfusions every day.
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.”
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 on social media for updates.
Sources: Western Cape Blood Service
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