PressSplit
The German Red Cross in Werl is looking for helpers to organize blood donation appointments. © Patrick Pleul/dpa
Michael Bäcker, the long-standing blood donation officer for the German Red Cross local association in Werl, wants to take a step back. However, the search for a successor is proving difficult. Bäcker is hoping for helpers who will take on at least some of the tasks for him.
Werl – Since 1997, Michael Bäcker has been ensuring that everything goes smoothly at the German Red Cross (DRK) blood donations in Werl. At 66, the blood donation officer for the local DRK association now wants to take a step back and hopes that a successor will be found. Bäcker announced almost a year ago that he wanted to step back into the background. But so far there has been no queue of interested parties.
German Red Cross seeks helpers for blood donation
“There is no solution yet, at least nothing that is ready to be announced,” said Bäcker when asked. “It is not that easy to find someone who has the necessary time and flexibility.” Bäcker could therefore also imagine that his work will be distributed across several shoulders in the future.
He would be happy if, as a first step, additional helpers could be found to take on at least some of the tasks, such as distributing the advertising posters for blood donation appointments. Bäcker definitely wants to continue helping with blood donations and would also be willing to train successors over a longer period of time. “I’m definitely not going to just quit.” The dates for next year are also largely set.
The blood donation officer is not only the contact person for the blood donation service, but also takes care of setting up the donation rooms, ensures that there are enough helpers at the appointments, takes care of the accounting of expenses and organizes the blood donor awards.
Michael Bäcker’s wife Annette has been helping out right from the start. She and her kitchen team take care of the food for the blood donors on blood donation days. The Bäckers do the necessary shopping together beforehand. Annette Bäcker also wants to keep helping out.
Quitting completely is out of the question for bakers
For Michael Bäcker, quitting completely is out of the question. He would miss the contact with people and the commitment to the good cause. But after so many years, he would like to hand over some responsibility and reduce the workload. The quarterly blood donations add up to a number of eight-hour days. “I’m also active in the Red Cross emergency service.”
Anyone who can imagine helping with blood donation can contact Michael Bäcker (telephone 81233, email blutspende@drk-werl.de) or the board (01522/1732827, email: vorstand@drk-werl.de).
The next blood donation dates
The next blood donations at the DRK home are on October 17th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., on October 18th from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on October 21st from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Blood can be donated in the Holtumer Schützenhalle on October 25th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Further information about the DRK Werl is available im Internet.
