Johannesburg, 09 January 2026- As South Africans settle into the new year, the South African
National Blood Service (SANBS) would like to warmly welcome everyone back and express
appreciation to all donors for their continued generosity. Your commitment throughout the year
helps save countless lives, and SANBS remains grateful for every person who takes the time to
donate.
As the new year begins, SANBS is raising awareness about a familiar seasonal pattern, a dip in
national blood collections during and immediately after the festive season. While this is expected,
rebuilding healthy stock levels early in the year is essential to ensure the continuous availability of
blood products for patients who depend on them.
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.
Why Blood Stocks Drop in January?
There are several factors contributing to blood stocks dropping in January, and largely impacting
on SANBS’ reliance on organised blood drives, such as:
1. Holiday travel and movement
Donors are often away from their regular donation centres during December, leading to fewer
visits.
2. Limited workplace and campus drives
Workplaces, schools and universities and key collection points close or operate on reduced
schedules over the festive season.
3. 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.
4. 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,” says Thandi Mosupye, Senior Manager: Marketing, Communication and Brand at
SANBS.
“January is a challenging month for collections, but it is also an opportunity. 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.”
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. “Whether you are an O, A, B or AB donor your contribution matters, and we welcome you,” adds
Mosupye.
Who Can Donate?
• First-time donors must be between 16 and 75 years old.
• Donors must weigh at least 50 kg (55 kg 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.
For more information or to find your nearest donor centre, please contact the SANBS call centre
on 0800 11 9031 or visit the SANBS website.
Follow us on social media:
• YouTube: @OfficialSANBS
• X: @theSANBS
• Facebook: @SANBS
• Instagram: @thesanbs
• TikTok: @thesanbs
