Tuesday was World Blood Donor Day. The Red Cross took the opportunity to thank its many donors, but is also hoping to interest new people in giving blood. The number of donors is currently stable, despite a growing population, and thus, demand.
Andrée Heinricy, the director of the Red Cross’s Blood Centre, says there isn’t a shortage, exactly, but stocks can run low at certain times. “This can be if there are diseases going around, where we’ve had many people who had to cancel because they had Covid or contact with an infected person. Or during holidays, when people are less available. And now, as the summer break is upon us, we would really like our stocks to be filled.”
Demands from hospitals are also going up, so there is an increased need for donations. First time donors can make an appointment, where their red blood cells are checked and they are asked to fill out a questionnaire. After this, they talk to a doctor to discuss whether they are eligible.
A full donation consists of 475ml and takes between 5 and 10 minutes. It doesn’t hurt any more than a normal blood test. From a donation, red blood cells, platelets and plasma can be extracted and variously used. This means that a single donation can help up to three different people.
Helping others is also the main reason people are donating. Finding more donors means explaining what a donation entails and reducing fears around donation. To this end, young lawyers organised an information stall together with the Red Cross at the Cité Judiciaire on Tuesday.
