Only three percent
Blood donation campaign at the DRK Bruchsal-Heidelsheim: According to statistics, one in three German citizens finds themselves in a situation in which they are dependent on donated blood. But the willingness to donate is decreasing.
For many people, a blood transfusion is their only chance of survival. The blood for this comes exclusively from voluntary donors such as Ewald Saurer from the DRK Heidelsheim. Birgit Knaup from the DRK blood donation service sets the needle. Photo: Pia Jäger
by Pia Jäger
35 minutes 2 minutes ago
No matter whether it’s an accident, an operation or a birth – blood is needed in hospitals every day. For cancer patients as well as in intensive care units. Around 15,000 blood units per day. But where does the blood come from?
Exclusively from voluntary donors. It cannot be produced artificially. Without foreign blood, thousands of people in Germany would have no chance of survival.
Or to put it another way: According to statistics, every third German citizen finds themselves in a situation in which they are dependent on donated blood. And yet only three percent of people who could donate actually do so regularly. “Underground,” says Hans-Jürgen Mauritz, chairman of the DRK Heidelsheim.
First, the health status is checked
On this day, it is his local club that is organizing a blood donation campaign in the sports hall, together with the team from the DRK blood donation service. Anyone aged 18 or over who weighs over 50 kilograms can come.
It starts with a questionnaire about the donor’s current health status as well as illnesses, medications and the like. Blood pressure, iron levels and temperature are then measured. A doctor then discusses the questionnaire and measurement results and decides whether you can donate.
500 milliliters of blood go into the bag
Ewald Saurer has the green light. Another sip of cola. Then to Birgit Knaup from the blood donation service. A small spike, the needle is in place, the blood flows into the bag. 500 milliliters. It’s all over in six to eight minutes. Now rest for another ten minutes. Afterwards there will be a meal to strengthen you. In just over 45 minutes everything is over and your stomach is full.
All canned goods are later sent to the laboratory in cooled containers, where they are divided into their components: thrombocytes (blood platelets), erythrocyte concentrate (red blood cells) and blood plasma. At the same time, every donation is tested for various infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis before it is released. If something is not okay, the donor will be informed immediately.
Nine Heidelsheim DRK members are helping with the campaign, providing the donors with cake and a snack board with sausage or cheese. They shouldn’t lack for anything.
Willingness to donate continues to decline
“We are grateful for everyone who takes the time and donates blood for others,” says Mauritz. Because the number of donors is decreasing worryingly. “We are losing blood donors, young ones are hardly coming along.” It goes without saying that blood is there when it is needed. But that’s not it.
The supply of blood preparations only works through the continuous commitment of voluntary donors. They often decide between life and death. “Blood donors save up to three lives in less than an hour,” says Mauritz, “because each donation is divided into up to three preparations.”
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