From First Donation to Lifelong Habit: SANBS Aims to Grow South Africa’s Blood Donor Community This Summer
Johannesburg, 05 November 2024 – As South Africans gear up for the festive season filled with excitement, fun, and family gatherings, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is launching its annual summer campaign. Recognising the increased demand for blood products during this bustling time, SANBS is unwavering in its commitment to a safe and sufficient blood supply across the nation’s healthcare system.
The SANBS Summer campaign kicking off today, has a mission to exceed South Africa’s current blood donor base of 1%. By cultivating awareness, boosting blood collections, retaining regular donors, and engaging the youth, SANBS aims to safeguard the blood reserves crucial for emergencies and routine procedures.
The campaign will focus on raising awareness about the importance of regular blood donations, encouraging first-time donors to make donating a lifelong practice, and educating the public on the reciprocal benefits of giving blood.
First-time donors are the lifeblood of the SANBS summer campaign, representing a vital component in expanding South Africa’s blood donor pool beyond the existing 1%, and although they are not the only focus, they are crucial to the campaign’s success, as attracting new donors lays the foundation for a sustainable and reliable blood supply.
“We want to tap into the enthusiasm and potential of first-time donors, whilst cultivating a culture where donating becomes a lifelong habit. This focus on new donors is not just about a one-time contribution; it’s about ingraining the value of regular donation as a routine part of life.” said Thandi Mosupye, Senior Manager of Marketing, Communication, and Brand at SANBS.
Through targeted outreach and educational efforts, the campaign seeks to ease any apprehensions and emphasise the profound impact each donation has, encouraging individuals to continue supporting their communities for years to come.
Emphasising community engagement, SANBS aims to inspire young South Africans aged 16-24, by drawing attention to the rewarding societal contribution that blood donation provides. These efforts will go far beyond the summer campaign by continuing into the year at school and tertiary institutions nation-wide.
“Furthermore, the campaign encourages the youth to find purpose in making a difference,” added Mosupye, “We invite young South Africans to become heroes by donating blood. Through this act, we foster a culture of giving that transforms lives and strengthens our healthcare system.”
The campaign has a strong focus on youth, however, invites all South Africans to be regular blood donors, while leveraging media outlets to amplify its reach.
Visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 119 031 to find out where you can donate blood. Follow SANBS on X (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) Instagram (@thesanbs) and TikTok (@thesanbs).
Through the collective force of the summer campaign, SANBS aims to significantly bolster blood donations and nurture ongoing community involvement, ensuring that South Africa’s healthcare system remains resilient and prepared to meet any challenge.
ABOUT SANBS
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is an independent non-profit organisation and a leader in blood transfusion. SANBS operates in eight out of nine provinces in South Africa (except for the Western Cape, which the Western Cape Blood Service services) and provides crucial support to countries in the SADC region.
The organisation prides itself in being the lifeblood of South Africa’s healthcare system providing over one million world-class blood products. This pedigree comes from world-class testing and collection protocols, which ensure that the transfused blood is always of the highest quality. The organisation’s operations are supported by a wide network of donor centers consisting of more than 70 fixed donor centers and more than 100 mobile collection sites per day.
SANBS aims to collect 3500 units of blood daily to ensure a safe and sufficient supply for South Africa’s healthcare system. Given that a unit of blood only lasts 42 days, regular donations are critical. We encourage donors to make a commitment to give blood as frequently as every 56 weeks, ensuring a continuous supply for those in need.