Answer the call: SANBS urges blood donations
With national blood stocks below optimal levels, the South African National Blood Service is urging communities to donate now to help save lives ahead of the busy Easter period.
Ring ring! South Africa’s blood supply is calling, and this is one call that cannot be ignored.
According to Monique Schreiner, senior manager of donor relations at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), following the festive season, blood collections across the country have dropped, while the need for blood has remained constant and critical. In response, SANBS has launched its national blood donation campaign, Answer the Call, urging South Africans to roll up their sleeves and help rebuild the nation’s blood stocks.
The campaign officially launched on February 11, at a time when national blood stock levels had fallen below optimal levels. It also aims to strengthen reserves ahead of the busy Easter holiday period, when demand for blood typically increases.
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“Every day, lives across South Africa depend on a stable blood supply. Accident victims, cancer patients, surgical patients and mothers experiencing childbirth complications all rely on donated blood,” said Schreiner.
“While many South Africans were travelling, resting and enjoying a break over the festive season, emergencies didn’t take time off. Road accidents, medical procedures and life-saving treatments all rely on a stable blood supply. Answer the Call is about reminding South Africans that now is the moment to step up, especially as we approach another high-demand period like Easter,” she explained.
Schreiner added that blood donation is not something to postpone.
“A small act, done regularly, helps keep the healthcare system running when it matters most. Answering the call today helps ensure that patients continue to receive the blood they need tomorrow. By donating today, South Africans can help support a stable blood supply through the Easter period and beyond.”
Who can donate?
SANBS encourages all eligible South Africans to donate. To qualify, donors must:
• be 16 years or older (with parental consent if under 18)
• weigh 50kg or more
• be in good general health
• lead a low-risk lifestyle
The donation process takes about 30 minutes, and one donation can save up to three lives.
How to “Answer the Call”
It’s simple:
• Donate blood at your nearest SANBS donor centre or blood drive
• Encourage friends, family and colleagues – including first-time donors – to donate
• Donate regularly to help rebuild and maintain a reliable blood buffer
“When SANBS calls, it’s never about us. It’s about the lives waiting on the other end of the line. SANBS thanks all donors, partners and communities who continue to answer the call and give the gift of life,” Schreiner concluded.
