By: Nobuhle ‘LaGama’ Zozo
Blood is one of the most vital substances in the human body; it literally carries life within it. Blood is composed of plasma, which is mostly water, and three main types of cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Each of these components plays a vital role in keeping the body alive and healthy. When blood is lost through excessive bleeding, life is immediately at risk.
In such events, blood is used to treat trauma victims, save mothers experiencing complications during childbirth, support patients with chronic illnesses such as cancer and severe anaemia, and aid those undergoing major surgeries. In all these cases, donated blood becomes the lifeline.
Blood donation is a voluntary medical act where an individual donates blood for transfusion. Research by Remedi shows that a single unit of donated blood can save up to three lives, because it is separated into different components, red cells, plasma, and platelets, each used to treat various medical conditions.
In South Africa, the donation and distribution of blood are managed by two main organizations: the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS), which operates within the Western Cape, and the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), which covers the remaining eight provinces. Both organisations follow strict safety and ethical protocols in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, ensuring that every unit of blood collected is safe and that donations remain voluntary, unpaid, and equitable.
However, despite ongoing efforts, research from SANBS shows that fewer than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors, far below the 4–5% recommended by the WHO to maintain a stable and sustainable blood supply. This shortfall makes it difficult to meet the national daily demand of about 3,500 units of blood.
Donating blood is a simple yet powerful act of kindness. The process takes less than an hour, and the body naturally replenishes the donated blood within 24 to 48 hours. It costs nothing but has a profound and lasting impact, because the gift of blood is, ultimately, the gift of life.
