National Blood Bank makes an urgent call to donate this vital liquid for the festive season

The National Blood Bank of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) calls on the population to come and donate blood, since the end and beginning of the year represents a critical time of shortage of this vital liquid.

The next donor recruitment dates are:

• Saturday December 2: National Blood Bank (Zapote) from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Sunday December 3: Community Hall of Quebradilla de Cartago, from 8:00 am to 12:00 m.

The bank director, Dr. Josué Campos Ávila, He explained that December and January are critical months due to factors such as holidays, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Eve parties and, sometimes, excessive alcohol consumption and speeding behind the wheel that can cause some type of accident.

“We are in the final stretch of the year and critical months of possible shortages are coming. That is why we urge the population to heed our call and accompany us in the different calls that we are going to make,” Campos Ávila pointed out.

According to the official, four types of components are extracted from each bag of donated blood: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitates (frozen blood product) that can be used to treat emergency patients, surgeries, chronic treatments, polytraumatized patients, cancer, transplants, burns, among others.

The requirements to donate are:

• Be between 18 and 65 years old.
• Be in good health
• Weighing more than 52 kilos and height equal to or greater than 150 cm.
• Carry your identity card, residence card or valid official identification.
• Not having ingested liquor in the last 24 hours.
• Be well hydrated.
• Not having had any type of surgery or gastroscopy, tattoo or piercing (piercing) in the last six months.
• If you are a woman, you must not be pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Eat a light breakfast: fruits, cookies, bread, jams or jellies, coffee or tea without milk.
• Do not consume fats or dairy products or their derived products.
• If you eat something heavy, you must wait between two and three hours after eating to donate.
• You should not fast.

The National Blood Bank is located in Zapote, in the South corner of the Catholic church, and for information or questions you can contact them at phone number 2280-9952 or WhatsApp 8992-2151. Their opening hours are:

• Monday to Thursday from 6:00 am to 3:20 pm
• Friday from 6:00 am to 2:20 pm
• Saturdays from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm

He Friday December 1 The bank will remain closed as it is a national holiday. However, throughout December different activities will be carried out, both at the headquarters and in different parts of the country, to recruit blood donors and thus have reserves in the face of the high demand that is coming.

Last update: 11/30/2023