The most important link in the chain

Also invited were 14 helpers who had been volunteering at the blood donation dates since the beginning of the corona restrictions.

The head of the blood donation working group, Petra Schmidt-Broccucci, thanked everyone in particular for their commitment to this indispensable task despite all the restrictions. Also due to the great motivation and commitment of the entire team, a total of 1932 blood donations were recorded in the Corona year 2021. That was more than in the two previous years. It was gratifying that 97 of them were first-time donors.

The focus of the ceremony and the speech of the chairman Dieter Jagiella were the blood donation anniversaries. “They are indeed life savers, even if you don’t know who just got their blood helped. These can be premature babies, patients with serious illnesses or accident victims. Without you and your kind across the country, our medical care could not be sustained. They are at the beginning of the blood supply chain. But they are its most important link; because there is no substitute for this substance yet,” said Jagiella.

Millions of people have been treated and saved with donated blood for 70 years. For the present and future, it is becoming apparent that more and more blood is needed. “We are all getting older and the baby boomers from the baby boom from 1955 to 1965 are now getting to an age where more frequent and sometimes complicated treatments are required,” said the local association chairman. Dieter Jagiella, together with Petra Schmidt Broccucci, thanked all donors for their sense of duty and responsibility. “You have been selflessly committed to the health and lives of others. Please remain loyal to us and continue to help so that even more citizens get involved in this vital cause.” The next donation dates are May 11th in Verne, May 30th in Scharmede and June 7th in Salzkotten.