The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has appealed to eligible South Africans to donate blood as current collections fall short of the required daily target needed to maintain national blood supplies. The service says it needs to collect approximately 3,500 units of blood every day to keep a five-day stock reserve for each blood group.
SANBS, which marked 25 years of saving lives this year, launched the national campaign ‘Be The Lifeline: Give Blood. Give A Tomorrow’ on 1 June 2026 to encourage greater blood donation. Despite the campaign and public appeals, pressure remains on supplies as daily targets are not being met, raising concerns over the availability of blood for hospitals and patients.
Monique Schreiner, Senior Manager of Donor Relations at SANBS, said during a media briefing, “We are appealing to all eligible South Africans to make time to donate – whether you are a regular donor who is due, considering donating for the first time, or a previous donor who has not donated for some time.” She added, “Whether you’re returning to donate or considering giving blood for the first time, your decision can make a meaningful difference. Every donor helps strengthen our blood supply and gives patients the hope of another tomorrow.”
The SANBS was established in 2001, following the amalgamation of six regional blood services. Since then, it has relied heavily on the generosity of the public to sustain the blood supply network throughout South Africa. CEO Ravi Reddy remarked, “For 25 years, SANBS has been sustained by the generosity of ordinary South Africans doing something extraordinary.”
Each blood donation can save up to three lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets for various medical uses. However, donated blood has a limited shelf life of 42 days, which necessitates a continuous flow of donations to meet ongoing medical demand across the country.
World Blood Donor Day, observed annually on 14 June, serves as a reminder of the critical role blood donors play in healthcare. SANBS’s ongoing concerns about blood supply levels have been publicly highlighted again this September, when the service issued fresh appeals amid declining stock levels nationwide.
While SANBS states its daily collection target as 3,500 units, this exact figure has yet to be independently verified by a third party separate from the organisation. Similarly, up-to-date figures on current national blood stock levels remain unpublished outside SANBS communications.
Still, the situation underscores a critical public health need present across South Africa. Blood donation centres, including those in Cape Town and the Western Cape, continue to call on the public to contribute towards building resilient blood reserves.
The Cape Flats community and other regions are encouraged to support the campaign and schedule donations as a practical way to save lives. CapeFlats.co.za will continue to monitor updates from SANBS and local centres on donation drives and stock levels.