FNB Varsity Cup and SANBS’s partnership is already making a difference and saving lives at the halfway mark of the competition.
With the FNB Varsity Cup at its halfway mark, their partnership with SANBS (South African National Blood Service) and WPBTS (Western Province Blood Transfusion Service) has already made a difference to South Africa.
FNB Varsity Cup together with SANBS and WPBTS embarked on a mission to increase blood donation amongst South Africa’s youth.
“Every South African – even those who don’t or didn’t attend the universities taking part in the tournament – will be able to participate by donating their blood on behalf of their favourite team at any SANBS or WPBTS blood drive or donor centre between 29 January and 16 April.”
The university which gets the most people to donate on behalf of their team will win the inaugural Gaz’Lam Trophy. The Gaz’Lam Trophy stands for ‘Igazi Lami’ which means one’s blood brother in IsiZulu.
After just five rounds of the FNB Varsity Cup, fans have donated over 19 423 pints of blood which, by SANBS’s calculations, equals 58 263 lives saved.
SANBS regional marketing manager Ivor Hobbs explained that the partnership with FNB Varsity Cup has been a resounding success, especially with FNB Varsity Cup’s target market of 18-25.
“I have looked at the stats and there seems to be a really good increase in year-on-year collections for February of 5.04 percent. This is great considering that there was a 2 percent decline for the same period comparing Feb 2016 vs 2017. What is also great is that the biggest increases were seen in donors between the ages of 20 – 30,” said Hobbs.
“There was significant increase of 9.75 percent from people who haven’t donated for 12 months or longer. It’s wonderful to see that we are attracting back regular blood donors, who haven’t donated in a whole through this initiative.”
FNB Varsity Cup managing director Duitser Bosman is passionate about the difference the partnership has already made.
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Partnering with the SANBS and the WPBTS was an obvious decision in saving lives and to see the difference our platform has made to the amount of blood donations already, especially amongst our target audience, is spectacular.”
Bosman encouraged the fans and all South Africans to give blood.
“We urge all the fans out there supporting their universities to carry on making the team and go donate blood, because no matter who you are, you can save someone’s life.”
FNB UP-Tuks are way ahead of their competition in blood donation and look set to claim the Gaz’lam Trophy after donating 4 402 units with the next best being FNB NWU who have donated 3 850 units. There is a tight battle for third between FNB UJ who are narrowly edging and FNB Wits at the moment. Bringing up the rear are FNB UFH with only 83 units donated on their behalf.
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A South African Varsity Cup initiative has made a remarkable impact by saving 58,269 lives. This program, often linked to health, safety, or social outreach efforts, demonstrates how sports and community engagement can drive meaningful change. By combining awareness campaigns, education, and practical support, the initiative has helped countless individuals, highlighting the power of collective action and the positive influence of university-led programs on society.