The province of Albacete has historically set a record for blood donations. Behind the altruistic gesture of donation, which allows anyone to have the ability to save lives, is the family of the Brotherhood of Blood Donors, to which thousands of people belong. Thanks to them, 34% of the blood goes to Oncology, 25% to operating rooms, 21% to treat chronic patients and transplants, 15% to correct anemia and 5% to delivery rooms. There are also record donors, such as Julio Martínez, Rafaela Sánchez or Dionisio Garrido.
🩸 June 14th marks Blood Donor Day. This report of Sanitary Diary is dedicated to the millions of donors who selflessly save lives every day. Thanks.
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Julio Martinez, farmer from Santa Ana
64 years, 102 donations
“The doctor told me that I’m like an oak, so I’ll donate until they let me”
Julio Martínez, a farmer from the Albacete district of Santa Ana, now regrets not having started donating blood sooner. “I started late, at 30 years old.” But three decades after taking the first step, he has 102 donations to his credit. Punctual to his appointment, every three months, he travels to the General University Hospital of Albacete. Entering the front door, he turns left to greet his friends from the Brotherhood of Blood Donors, and from there he goes down to the Blood Bank to donate.
“There is nothing more rewarding than saving lives just by stretching out your arm”
“At first it made me dizzy.” He remembers, at 64 years old, that when he began to donate they had to raise his legs because he would get dizzy, but he, in addition to being supportive, is constant. He persevered and today, although he still has respect for the needle, he just hopes to keep donating. He believes that “there is nothing more rewarding than saving lives just by stretching out your arm.” That is why he assures that since “the doctor has told me that I am like an oak tree, I will donate until they let me”.
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Rafaela Sánchez, TCAE in an operating room, from Valdeganga
49 years, 88 donations
«If something happens to my family or to me, we would like there to be blood to treat us»
Rafaela Sánchez is an auxiliary nursing care technician and works in the operating room at the Quirónsalud Santa Cristina Hospital, so she sees on a daily basis how important donations are, whether they are blood, plasma or platelets. At 49 years old, she has already donated 88 times. Since she was little, she accompanied her uncle to donate, so she was looking forward to turning 18 to start. The fact that her blood pressure was too low delayed her release, but finally, she started in 2005. She donates plasma, so, after the blood is drawn, the red blood cells are returned to her, which allows her to donate on more occasions .
“In the Brotherhood they treat you as if you were family”
He has always been very clear that “if something happens to my family or to me, we would like there to be blood to treat us.” That’s why he doesn’t think twice and, as soon as he can, he takes his car and goes to the hospital to donate. “It’s a puncture and period. The nurses are very careful and in the Brotherhood they treat you as if you were family ».
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Dionisio Garrido, freelancer from Madrigueras
48 years and 81 donations
“Madrigueras is a very supportive town”
Dionisio Garrido has been a blood donor since he was 18 years old. Moreover, he remembers that the first time was March 21, 1992. It is among the important dates in his life because he wanted to be like his father, also a donor. And he never tires of repeating that he is going to donate “with all pleasure.” For him it is 10 minutes, without any discomfort, in which “it encourages me to think that I can help someone.” In fact, in 48 years he has donated 81 times, which is a record. He also thinks that “Madrigueras is a very supportive town”, hence he has donors like him or like his father.
When the Brotherhood of Blood Donors arrives in the town of Burrows with their mobile units, it becomes quite an event.
Requirements to donate blood
- That the volunteer is between 18 and 65 years old.
- Weight of more than 50 kg.
- Good health.
- Traer DNI o NO.
Frequency of donations
- For women: maximum 3 times a year.
- For men: maximum 4 times a year.
- For all: minimum 2 months from the last donation.
▶️ Do you want to be a blood donor?
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