The Easter long weekend and many public holidays in April are synonymous with low collections when schools and universities close for a break and masses of people go on holiday and thus impacting blood donations from donors. 

While SANBS hopes for the best, it anticipates that this year will be no different.

The Business Hour's Olebogeng Motse spoke to Shivanie Lutchman, SANBS Donor Relations Practitioner, to find out why Easter is a challenging time for blood collections. 

SANBS appeals to current and first-time blood donors to make their way to their closest donation site to give much-needed blood.

Even during holidays, SANBS is required to collect blood and maintain adequate stocks. The target is at least 3 500 units of blood daily to satisfactorily meet patients’ daily needs. For every day that SANBS is unable to achieve this target, the available stock level keeps depleting.

Easter is often a time for family and donating blood is a great way of giving someone else more time with theirs.

If you are between the ages of 16 and 75, weigh more than 50kg and lead a safe lifestyle, feel healthy, you can donate blood to register as a blood donor. SANBS calls upon the youth of South Africa, all those from 16 years and older, to register to become blood donors.

The Egg-stra Mile Campaign encourages South Africans to go the extra mile to help save more lives this Easter. 

This Saturday, 18 March 2023, SANBS will be hosting blood drives at the Vaal Mall from 9am to 4pm, Riversquare donor centre from 9am to 2pm, and The Horse and River Pub and Grill from 10am to 2pm, with the aim of increasing blood stocks levels before the challenging Easter period. 

The target is 50 units of blood for each promotional blood drive. Help SANBS reach this target to save hundreds of lives this Easter.