Introduction
Who we are
Introduction
Who we are
At the heart of our mandate is a commitment to customer centricity, ensuring that we provide patients with sufficient, safe, and quality blood products and medical services related to blood transfusion in an equitable and cost-effective manner, all while ‘Serving with Heart’. By prioritising the needs and experiences of those we serve, we uphold our dedication to compassionate care and aim to create meaningful connections with patients and the communities we support.
At SANBS, we are united by a single purpose: saving lives.
As a non-profit company, we are responsible for providing our patients with safe, sufficient, and high-quality blood products and transfusion-related medical services, delivered equitably, affordably, and with heart.
Our role extends far beyond collecting blood. We manage the entire blood value chain, from donor recruitment and blood collection, through rigorous testing and processing, to final cross matching at blood banks and delivery at hospitals. Every unit of blood is screened for infectious diseases, blood type, and checked for compatibility to ensure the safest possible transfusions.
Donation
We recruit volunteer blood donors.
Testing
Blood is tested for infectious diseases.
Processing
Blood is prepared for patient use.
Screening
Compatibility is
checked.
Distribution
Blood is delivered to
hospitals.
Behind every life saved is a promise we keep: to deliver quality, safety, and care in every drop. Our performance in 2024/25:
0
average donations per week
0
whole blood units donated
0
mobile site donations
0
donations from fixed sites
0
blood products issued
0
blood banks
0
plasma units
0
platelet units prepared
0
processing sites
0
testing laboratories
0
registered donors
0
donor centres
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employees
Innovative blood collection
SANBS continued to lead with innovation in blood collection, driving large-scale, high-impact campaigns to expand the donor base and raise public awareness.
Red Saturday – A national call to action
In a joint effort with the Western Cape Blood Service, SANBS launched Red Saturday, a nationwide campaign aimed at addressing critical blood shortages ahead of the festive season.
Branded around the high-traffic Black Friday weekend, Red Saturday set an ambitious target of collecting 5,000 units of blood in a single day. With support from media partners and local radio stations, the campaign mobilised communities across the country, with over 80 malls participating in the event.
Red Saturday extended public awareness and accessibility, especially in regions where SANBS had previously limited exposure. The collaborative effort not only strengthened national unity in the call to donate but also helped attract first-time donors, reinforcing our commitment to saving lives through community-driven action. A total of 6 870 units were collected, marking a powerful response from the public and exceeding expectations in several regions.
Donors: The lifeblood of SANBS
At SANBS, we know that the life-saving work we do would not be possible without the generosity and dedication of our donors. Every unit of blood collected holds the potential to save up to three lives, and behind every life saved is a selfless donor who made it possible.
Our commitment to a safe and sufficient blood supply starts with the people who give so willingly. That is why we invest deeply in donor recruitment, wellness, education, and ongoing donor care, because healthy, informed donors are the foundation of a sustainable blood system.
Caring for our donors
Donor care is central to our mission. Recognising the health of our donors as a key priority, SANBS has implemented a comprehensive Donor Wellness Programme to support and promote overall well-being. The programme addresses critical health aspects, including iron deficiency management, ensuring that donors are not only giving the gift of life, but doing so safely and sustainably. Tap the image above to watch more about donor wellness.
We also focus on convenience and accessibility, expanding our reach through 70 fixed donor centres and over 678,000 collections from mobile donor sites, making it easier than ever to donate. Thanks to these efforts, our active donor panel grew to more than 600,000 registered donors, with 18% of donations coming from first-time donors, a clear sign of growing national commitment.