Laurika du Preez and the South African National Blood Service will be at Hoërskool Upington, which celebrates its 130th birthday this year, on Thursday, 5 February 2026. Upington High School is the proud winner of the 2025 Life Givers’ Schools Competition in the Northern Cape.

The SANBS invites learners aged 16 and older, and weighing over 50 kilograms, to roll up their sleeves and donate blood between 08:00 and 13:00 on the day.

Start a life-saving habit early by donating every 56 days – because one donation can save up to three lives!

Why is early adoption of blood donation so important:

Adopting the habit of donating blood at an early age is critical because it helps build a lifelong commitment to saving lives and ensures a stable blood supply for hospitals. When young people begin donating early, they are more likely to continue as regular donors, reducing future blood shortages. Early involvement also promotes social responsibility, reduces fear and misconceptions about the donation process, and creates a healthier, reliable donor population. Overall, encouraging blood donation from a young age strengthens healthcare systems and helps meet the constant demand for blood.

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 kgs (and for platelets a minimum of 55 kgs)
• 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 and 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.

Why does my blood group matter?

• Not all blood groups are compatible. The success of modern blood transfusion depends on classifying and matching donor blood groups and patients correctly.
• Different blood groups are required to ensure sufficient blood supply for all patients in need.
• Group O blood is called the universal blood type, as it can be transfused to patients belonging to any blood group.
• Rhesus-negative people must ideally receive Rhesus-negative blood. However, in cases of blood shortage, priority for Rhesus-negative blood is given to women of childbearing age.