Blood donation in Bremen: Stabilization despite falling numbers of first-time donors!

Blood donation in Bremen: Stabilization despite falling numbers of first-time donors!

Today's World Blood Donor Day shows a mixed situation in the blood supply in northern Germany. While the blood supply in Bremen and Lower Saxony has stabilized, the German Red Cross (DRK) is warning of possible shortages in the summer months. This is reported by butenunbinnen.de on the occasion of the actions taking place today in Bremen and Wilhelmshaven. In Bremen, people take the opportunity to do something good in the Weser Stadium from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In Wilhelmshaven it starts at 11 a.m. in the Rüstringen fire station.

This blood donation day is not only an occasion to celebrate, but also a signal that the need for blood donations in Germany is still high. In the first four months of the year, almost 7,000 people donated their blood in Bremen and around 230,000 people in Lower Saxony. These are encouraging figures, but they have a downside: the number of first-time donors is falling worryingly. According to a spokesman for the DRK, it is crucial that every generation has its blood donors to ensure future supply.

Background of the deficiency

The bottleneck, which threatens particularly in the summer months, is due to several factors. Younger people often go on vacation while older people avoid the heat. This significantly reduces the willingness to donate blood, which alarms the DRK. During the summer holidays, Germany needs around 15,000 blood units every day, which represents a major challenge. ZDF Today emphasizes that an increase in accidents caused by travel also leads to an increased need for blood supplies.

The situation is critical. The DRK report from DRK Mittelstadt shows that blood reserves are almost used up. There are hardly any buffer reservoirs because donated blood is used immediately. Nevertheless, there is hope: with an increased willingness to donate, the situation could be stabilized. Just two blood donations per year from every healthy adult could make a significant difference.

What can each individual do?

Donating blood is easier than you think. After making an appointment online, you fill out a health questionnaire, undergo a temperature check and a medical interview before the actual blood sample begins. This usually only takes 5 to 12 minutes. After the donation, donors receive a small meal to help them recover. So it pays off to take action and make an appointment to donate blood!

The message to everyone who is healthy and feels able to donate is clear: “Take advantage of the opportunity and help save lives.” With every drop donated, people make a valuable contribution that can be crucial not only in emergencies, but also during operations and transplants. So, get to it! Every donation counts.