DRK district manager Rolf Klöcker and blood donation officer Edeltraud Engelen are calling for appointments at the end of August and beginning of September in Kirchheim, Blankenheim, Hellenthal and Zingsheim
Euskirchen-Großbüllesheim – “In order to ensure the care of seriously ill patients in the coming weeks, we now need significantly more blood donations,” said Red Cross District Manager Rolf Klöcker in a press conference.
Blood donation appointments have therefore been organized for the change of month from August to September at the Kirchheim primary school near Euskirchen, Einsteinstrasse 35-37, on Tuesday, August 27th from 5.30 p.m. to 8 p.m., on the same day from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Blankenheim school center, Finkenberg 8, on Friday, August 30th, from 3 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. at the Hellenthal community secondary school, Kalberbenden 14, and on Sunday, September 1st, from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. at the school in Zingsheim, Petrusstrasse 5.
The annual “summer slump” in blood donations was already apparent in May this year, said Edeltraud Engelen, deputy district chairwoman of the German Red Cross and blood donation officer. The European Football Championship in Germany and the summer holidays that followed immediately afterwards made the situation even worse.
“Supplies are running low”
Rolf Klöcker: “The measures initiated by our West Blood Donation Service, such as special blood donation campaigns and increased calls, did provide relief on some days. However, stocks of blood products are running low.” In the case of Rhesus-negative blood products, the demand is only sufficient for just over a day.
The Red Cross is therefore urgently asking people to donate blood now and to reserve an appointment before donating blood. Anyone who books a blood donation time at www.blutspende.jetzt or by calling the DRK blood donation service hotline on (0800) 11 949 11 can donate blood without having to wait.
Anyone who wants to donate blood must be at least 18 years old and feel healthy. There is no longer an upper age limit. Edeltraud Engelen: “Please bring your ID card or driving license with you to the blood donation appointment. The actual blood donation takes about five to ten minutes. After that, you lie down and relax for another ten minutes. After the blood donation, there is a delicious snack.”
