SANBS – Supporting life through blood donations

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is dedicated to saving lives by ensuring a steady supply of safe blood for patients in need. With a network of permanent donor centres across Central SA, the SANBS makes it easier for individuals to donate and make a life-saving difference. Blood donations are essential for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatments, and more. By becoming a regular donor, you are joining a community of lifesavers who help ensure that blood is always available when needed.

Permanent donor sites in Central SA:

• Bethlehem – Shop 1A, Riverwalk Centre, Muller Street
• Bloemfontein – shop 44 and 45. Bloem Plaza Centre, Henry Street
• Bloemfontein – Southern Centre, Benade Drive
• Bloemfontein – Victorian Square, Corner of Pres. Reitz Street and 2nd Avenue
• Kathu – Pegasus Building, Rietbok Street
• Kimberley – 169 Du Toitspan Road
• Upington – Corner of Dr Nelson Mandela and Basson Street
• Kroonstad – Checkers Centre, North Road 
• Welkom – Shop 36, The Strip, Corner of Bok and Stateway Road

Minimum requirements to be a blood donor:

• You are between the ages of 16 and 75 years old, for first-time donors.
• You weigh a minimum of 50 kg (and platelets a minimum of 55 kg).
• You are in good health.
• You lead a low-risk lifestyle.
• You consider your blood safe for transfusion.
• You have had a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood.
• You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (and platelets in the last 14 days.)
• Your pulse is between 60-100 regular beats per minute.
• Your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) (180/100mmHg) and above 100 systolic (first number) and above 60 diastolic  (second number) (100/60mmHg).
• Your haemoglobin level is 12.g for females and 13.g for males/dL or above.
• The SANBS screening test ensures that your blood pressure and haemoglobin levels are within a safe range for you to donate.