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There are currently too few blood donations in the Schwalm-Eder district. The German Red Cross (DRK) is therefore sounding the alarm. Despite intensive efforts to recruit new donors, the situation is critical. © Georg Wendt/dpa
There are currently too few blood donations in the Schwalm-Eder district. Despite intensive efforts to recruit new donors, the situation is critical.
Schalm-Eder – There is currently too little blood being donated in the Schwalm-Eder district. The German Red Cross (DRK) is therefore sounding the alarm. Despite intensive efforts to find new donors, the situation is critical. A key reason for the donor shortage is not only the summer and the travel season, as is the case every year, but above all demographic change. “We need a broader foundation – more young people who donate blood regularly,” emphasizes Martin Oesterer, press spokesman for the DRK blood donation service in Baden-Württemberg-Hessen.
Media campaigns to motivate young people to donate blood
In order to motivate young people to donate blood, the blood donation service is therefore using various media campaigns. The “missing type” and “It’s a match” campaigns are particularly noteworthy. The “missing type” campaign has the slogan “It’s only when it’s missing that you notice” and is supported by celebrities.
Bodo Fäcke from the Homberg local branch of the German Red Cross also speaks of a continuous decline in donations. The main reason here too: an ageing donor base, while younger people are hardly coming up. While the effects of demographic change have only been felt for a short time, there are also regular bottlenecks as soon as the winter months end.
Then the number of donors drops, according to the German Red Cross blood donation service. The reason: many people prioritize their leisure activities and short vacations. Summer makes the situation even worse: major events, festivals and vacations distract the attention of potential donors, while high temperatures further dampen the motivation to donate blood.
About 15,000 blood donations are needed every day
The blood supply in Germany is essential. Based on a 5-day week, around 15,000 blood donations are needed every day in Germany to ensure medical care. The DRK blood donation services cover around 75 percent of this need. New donors are therefore particularly in demand. Only regular donations can cover the need in Germany and thus also in the Schwalm-Eder district in the future. (Louisa Bögge)
