In order to encourage more people to donate blood, the German Red Cross offers the opportunity to spontaneously donate blood in a shopping center in Trier. This is well received.
Martin Schulte spends his lunch break in the Trier Gallery – but not to shop for books, clothes or perfume in the numerous shops.
The employee of the Protestant church heads for a shop on the first floor of the shopping arcade, which, with its modern furnishings in dark, muted colors, looks more like a chic lounge. Drinks and sweet snacks are free here if you want to donate blood like Martin Schulte.
Blood donations even without an appointment
Martin Schulte is here for the second time. Since his community service, he knows how urgently blood is needed every day. Since March, the so-called pop-up blood donation has been available in Trier, meaning that people can donate blood in a shop with or without an appointment. The German Red Cross (DRK) has already tested the concept in three cities in North Rhine-Westphalia (Dortmund, Leverkusen, Düsseldorf).
The German Red Cross wants to do something like this to counteract the declining willingness to donate. Younger people in particular are hardly interested in the traditional blood donation appointments in gyms and clubhouses, says Benjamin Albrecht of the German Red Cross.
Quiet lounge atmosphere
After almost six months, it is clear that the new concept is working. Since March, around 2,400 donors have come by. Of these, almost 600 donated blood for the first time, that is around one in four. This means that the first-time donor rate in Trier and Trier-Saarburg has increased by 20 percent compared to the previous year, says Benjamin Albrecht.
He confirms that it is mainly younger donors who come in spontaneously to donate blood. However, most donors really like the quiet lounge atmosphere in the shop, regardless of their age.
Good deed during lunch break
After a short preliminary examination, blood donor Martin Schulte lies down on the couch and has the needle inserted into his arm. 500 milliliters then flow into the bag. Blood that will help at least three people somewhere in Germany.
He finds the pop-up blood donation very practical. You can book an appointment without much effort and you can get in straight away – perfect for doing a good deed during your lunch break.
More pop-up stores for blood donations planned
The shop in the Trier Gallery was initially rented for six months. Due to the positive response, the project will continue, said Benjamin Albrecht of the German Red Cross. And because the concept is going so well, more pop-up blood donations could soon follow in Rhineland-Palatinate.
