In the coming weeks, less than 50 percent of the available appointment slots in the appointment reservation system will be filled. In good times, this rate is over 80 percent. “If you subtract the appointments that were booked but not kept, the picture becomes even bleaker,” Küpper continues.
“Summer slump” since May
This year it became apparent early on: the annual summer slump in blood donations was already noticeable in May. A particularly high number of public holidays and long weekends meant that blood donations plummeted in the spring. The European Football Championship in our own country and the summer holidays that immediately followed made the situation even worse. In addition, there is the “long-distance travel factor” in the summer – anyone who has vacationed in malaria areas can protect themselves personally, but is deferred from donating blood for six months. This is the only way to exclude the risk of transmitting malaria to patients, because proving an infection takes time. These people are then also missing from the system, even if they are otherwise loyal blood donors.
Measures and calls did not bring lasting relief
The measures initiated by the blood donation service, such as special blood donation campaigns and increased calls for donations, did bring relief on some days, but were not able to provide lasting relief. Stocks of blood products are now running out. In the case of Rhesus-negative blood products, the demand is only sufficient to cover a little over a day. The hospitals’ requirements for blood products must currently be significantly reduced.
Next donation date in Olsberg on 27.08.24
The next time you can donate is on August 27th, 2024 from 4pm to 8pm in the concert hall in Olsberg. Information and the possibility to reserve an appointment can be found HERE.
No age restriction
The press spokesperson for the blood donation service expressly points out that the widespread opinion that one cannot donate blood after a certain age is no longer valid. “Whether you want to donate blood for the first time or want to start again after a blood donation break – this is possible without any age restrictions.”
The blood donation service appeals to the population in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland to make blood donation appointments now and in the coming weeks. The German Red Cross asks that you reserve an appointment for blood donation. Anyone under www.blutspende.jetzt or book a blood donation time on the DRK blood donation service hotline at 0800 11 949 11, you can donate blood without having to wait.
In order to refill the blood reserves and ensure supplies, the DRK Blood Donation Service West needs up to 3,500 blood donations every day! Hence the urgent appeal to show compassion and donate blood now.
