Urgent appeal: blood and plasma donations are particularly important in lockdown! | Brandenburg meeting point

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The Robert Koch Institute, the Paul Ehrlich Institute and the Federal Center for Health Education jointly appeal to the population to continue donating blood and plasma. Because the donations – and thus also the stocks of blood products – have decreased significantly in the past few weeks. Heike Rabe, manager of the Haema blood donation center in Brandenburg an der Havel, also notes this.

Blood and plasma donations are extremely important for health care. The products made from them are used in the treatment of cancer patients, accident victims with severe blood loss and operations. Around two thirds of all people in Germany will be dependent on donated blood or drugs obtained from plasma at some point in their lives. To meet this need, an average of 15,000 donations are necessary every day.

But at the moment far fewer people attend blood donation appointments – like those of the private sector Haema. “In winter there are often fewer donations,” says spokeswoman Britta Diebel. “The change of holiday and the turn of the year, weather, snow and road conditions do not make you think about it.” But this seasonal decline is exacerbated by the Corona crisis and the lockdown. “It feels like a lot of people stay at home due to the high number of infections.”

“We don’t run into a bottleneck, but the supply must not stall,” says Britta Diebel. She therefore urgently draws attention to the fact that the blood donation centers are still open. “A comprehensive hygiene concept helps to ensure that donors do not have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection,” she says. “All donors who are healthy and do not belong to an endangered group are called upon to donate.” Since blood and plasma are urgently needed, the donation is considered a valid reason to leave the house. Brandenburg’s center manager Heike Rabe is happy that many of her regular donors continue to find their way to Kirchhofstrasse 1-2. “We are very grateful to them,” she says. Nevertheless, Heike Rabe hopes for more donors who will help to secure patient care. In the current situation, appointments must be made by calling 03381-3967530. The face mask is compulsory in the central rooms.

Anyone who is healthy, at least 18 years old and weighs at least 50 kilograms can donate blood. When making a donation, all you need to do is present your valid identity card. Donors should not come on an empty stomach and should have drunk plenty of alcohol-free before the donation – preferably water, tea or juices. The donation takes about ten minutes. Registration and examination for first-time donors takes about 45 minutes. More information at [www.haema.de].

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