Did the blood donation also suffer from Corona? Yes and no, thinks Markus Baulke. “There are fewer places for donations,” says the spokesman for the DRK blood donation service, who is responsible for Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Bremen and Lower Saxony, of closed or too small facilities such as schools or fire department depots. “And where there is no room, we cannot offer appointments, there can be no donations,” he explains. However, the frequency in the remaining donation rooms has increased so that the lack can at least partially be made up.
The numbers also show that. In the Corona year 2020 there were 4,280 blood donations in the region around Aschersleben / Staßfurt – with 88 appointments. In the previous year there were more than 4,670 donations. At 100 there were also significantly more appointments.
Willingness to donate blood is very high
“Because the willingness to donate blood is still very, very high in Saxony-Anhalt,” says Baulke happily and thanks the volunteers. “Many even have more time due to Corona and want to do something good. A lot of young people are now also there. “
The DRK spokesman also praised the long-suffering of the donors. Because of the new distance rules and the regulations on how many people are allowed to be in the properties at the same time, there would be queues from time to time. “But everyone is super patient.”
Well thought-out hygiene concepts work smoothly
Because a well thought-out hygiene concept must of course also be effective when donating blood. Baulke speaks of sufficient distance, mask requirement and temperature measurements. The lavish buffets for strengthening afterwards must also be omitted. Nobody should stay longer in the bars than necessary. “That is also a protection for the volunteers on site.”
They remain loyal to the DRK blood donation service even in difficult times. Just like the members of the association for women, youth and senior work in the Seeland community of Frose. They have been setting up the appointments on a voluntary basis for 25 years and come up with something so that it can continue in times of corona.
Bags are gladly accepted
So is the blood donation from Bendix-Stift moved to the larger gym in town. Instead of the buffet with freshly made sandwiches and other delicacies, there are now coffee, tea and cold drinks as well as packed lunches for the donors. Filled with fresh fruit, but also savory and sweets. “As a thank you,” says association member Angela Arnold. And says: “We can see from the donors’ reaction that the bags are gladly and gratefully accepted.”
Many donors in Frose
No wonder that the dates in Frose are well attended. According to Angela Arnold, there were 44 blood donors in the latest campaign in January. Two of them came for the first time. “Our donors not only come from Frose.” They are also from Schadeleben, Gatersleben and the other Seeland locations, but also from Aschersleben, Winningen and Staßfurt.
“What a great participation”, thinks Arnold and confirms Baulke’s words. “A big thank you to all donors, because that cannot be taken for granted, especially during the corona pandemic. But all the more important for that, ”she adds. And also praises the club members who secure the appointments in their free time.
“It is important! Blood saves lives! “
“But nothing works without the support of the other Froser clubs. Tables and benches have been made available in the gym by the Froser Heimatverein, whose members also help with setting up and tidying up. ”Because things should continue in Frose. “We are happy about every donor, because as I said: It is important! Blood saves lives! ”Explains Arnold. Markus Baulke can only support that and hopes that many volunteers will continue to come to the donation campaigns in the other places.
(mz)
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