As South Africans gear up for the festive season filled with excitement, fun and family gatherings, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has launched its annual summer campaign.

The SANBS Summer campaign kicked off early in November, with a mission to exceed South Africa’s current blood donor base of 1%.

By creating 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 and represent a vital component in expanding South Africa’s blood donor pool beyond the existing 1%.

Thandi Mosupye, senior manager of marketing, communication and brand at SANBS, says although first-time donors are not the only focus, they are crucial to the campaign’s success because 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 while 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,” says Mosupye.

Mosupye says that through targeted outreach and educational efforts, the campaign seeks to ease any apprehension and emphasise the profound impact each donation has, which they hope will encourage individuals to continue supporting their communities for years to come.

She says that by using community engagement, they want to inspire young South Africans aged 16-24, by drawing attention to the rewarding societal contribution that blood donation provides.

Mosupye adds that these efforts will go far beyond the summer campaign by continuing into the year at schools and tertiary institutions nationwide.

“The campaign also encourages the youth to find purpose in making a difference.

“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,” says Mosupye.

Although the campaign has a strong focus on youth, SANBS urges all South Africans to be regular blood donors.

Potential donors can visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 119 031 to find out where you can donate blood.