A YEARLY reality the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) faces is a dip in national blood collections during and immediately after the festive season. The NPO depends on the generosity of donors to save lives and encourages communities to help rebuild healthy stock levels.

In a statement SANBS expressed gratitude to every person who took the time to donate last year and warmly welcomed everyone back to help rebuild its blood stocks.

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“While many households return to normal rhythm, thousands of patients across the country begin 2026 with a very different hope. Their new year is not defined by goals or celebration, but by the quiet wish for strength to return, for treatments to work, and for the simple, life-giving gift of blood to reach them in time. Behind current blood stock levels are real people, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children  receiving treatment in hospitals every day. Their recovery, and in some cases survival, depends on the continued availability of donated blood,” said SANBS.

Why do the blood stocks drop in January?

• Holiday travel and movement. Donors are often away from their regular donation centres during December, leading to fewer visits.
• Limited workplace and campus drives, schools and universities and key collection points close or operate on reduced schedules over the festive season.
• Meeting demand during the festive period with reduced donations. Emergency medical care, childbirth and the ongoing treatment of chronic conditions continue year-round, placing sustained pressure on available blood supplies.
• Disrupted donor routines. Year-end events, travel and family commitments can cause regular donors to miss their usual donations schedule, creating a visible gap in blood collections by January.

SANBS is encouraging O and B blood group donors who are due for donation to donate as these groups contribute significantly to the stability of the national blood supply.

• O-negative is the universal blood type used in emergencies.
• Group B contributes significantly to maintaining balanced stock for specific patient groups. However, SANBS emphasises that all blood groups are welcome and needed.

“We appreciate every South African who donates blood, and we want to start the year by saying thank you. If donors, especially those with O and B blood groups visit a donor centre early in the year, we can stabilise the national blood supply quickly and ensure hospitals continue caring for patients without interruption. We encourage all eligible donors to make time to give the gift of life,” said Thandi Mosupye, senior manager for marketing, communication and brand at SANBS.

SANBS invites all eligible donors to make a blood donation at their nearest donor centre or mobile drive. A single donation takes only minutes and can save up to three lives, to support patients in need.

Who can donate?

• First-time donors must be between 16 and 75 years old.
• Donors must weigh at least 50kg (55kg for platelet donations).
• Donors should be in good health, lead a low-risk lifestyle, and consider their blood safe for transfusion.
• Donors should have eaten within four hours before donating.
• Whole blood may not have been donated in the last 56 days, or platelets/plasma in the last 14 days.

SANBS will hold a blood drive this Saturday at Arbour Crossing and this Sunday at Toti Mall.

For more information or to find your nearest donor centre, contact the SANBS call centre on 0800 11 9031, visit the SANBS website or follow SANBS on social media.

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