The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) has been donating blood from various people as an act of compassion, and has expanded into a key support of the health system of South Africa, since its formation in 2001, succeeding from the integration of six past independent regional blood services, helping the country’s eight provinces out of the nine available.
SANBS has for over 25 years developed into a high esteemed institution motivated by research, innovation, focusing on safety and quality as well as scientific excellence, and it plays an important role in providing stable, safe and viable blood provision for millions of South Africans.
This initiative is more about people than the science behind it and this achievement is about all healthcare employees who depend on the donated blood, to blood donors who ensure others live through their selflessness, families who receive the donated blood and to experts who ensure the blood is safe.
“For 25 years, SANBS has been sustained by the generosity of ordinary South Africans doing something extraordinary. Behind every unit of blood is a human story of kindness, of hope, of life saved. This milestone is not only ours; it belongs to every healthcare worker and every life touched by this service. As we look to the future, we remain committed to ensuring that no patient is left without the blood they need to survive”, CEO of SANBS Ravi Eddy stated.
On 17 April 2026, SANBS will celebrate this achievement that unites important associates and the Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motswaledi will convey a keynote address thinking back on the significance of the joint action on creating a healthcare structure that provides services for all.
The Department of Health has worked together with SANBS and other organisations to increase exposure to life-saving blood benefits and have managed to create a support system that citizens depend on.
SANBS is looking forward to maintaining its heritage of creating a blood donation initiative, empowering trust and access to safe and blood results. They are about people and saving lives.
Follow them on socials to keep updated on blood donation initiatives on:
Twitter (@theSANBS)
Facebook (@SANBS)
Instagram (@thesanbs)
TikTok (@thesanbs)
Compiled by Sibongile Selomane
 will celebrate 25 years of blood donation and saving lives on 17 April 2026.){kind=link}