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Blood donation saves lives. Blood group 0 negative is particularly in demand. © DRK blood donation service Baden-Württemberg – Hesse
Blood transfusions are not only needed after accidents and operations. A rare blood group is particularly in demand.
Aalen. Blood donation saves lives. Up to 15,000 blood donations are needed every day in Germany. Not just for medical emergencies, but also for cancer patients, for example. Anyone who decides to do this should know a few things in advance.
Who is allowed to donate blood in Germany?
In Germany, healthy adults aged 18 and over are allowed. With the change to the Transfusion Act and the amendment to the “Hemotherapy Guideline”, there is no longer an upper age limit according to the blood donation service. However, a medical donor suitability test now also takes place every five years after the first donation and from the age of 60 onwards. For first-time donors, the age limit is usually 60 years. However, donors must not weigh less than 50 kilograms and must not have any chronic diseases such as hepatitis, HIV or diabetes. A health check is carried out before every blood donation. In Germany, men are allowed to donate blood up to six times a year, women up to four times. The interval between two donations must be at least 56 days.
That’s why blood donation is important
Blood cannot be produced artificially. Around 15,000 blood donations are needed in Germany every day. Blood reserves are needed in medical emergencies such as accidents, during operations, for cancer patients or people with blood diseases who rely on regular blood transfusions.
This blood group is particularly in demand
All blood types are important because patients require different blood types. Blood group 0 negative (0-) is particularly in demand because it is considered a universal blood donor. People with this blood type can donate their blood to all other blood types, making it particularly valuable in emergencies. About six percent of the population has blood group 0 negative. Blood group A positive (A+), such as that of the record blood donor Alfons Angstenberger from Fachsenfeld, is also often required, as it is the most common blood group in the German population.
The next blood donation appointment in Aalen is on Monday, October 21st, in the Unterkochen festival hall from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. To register it’s here.
In Schwäbisch Gmünd on Wednesday, October 23rd, in the Congress Center Stadtgarten from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To register it’s here.
Under www.blutspende.de Those interested will find, among other things, a barometer as to which blood donations are currently most urgently needed. There is also a donor check there.
