< Blood Service News - 12.10.2009

A single blood donation can save as many as three lives

In autumn, hospitals step up their use of blood components. This means that over 1,000 blood donors are needed in Finland every weekday.

Donated blood is divided into three components: red cells, thrombocytes and plasma. Since each patient only receives the blood components they need, a single donation session can help as many as three patients.

Hospitals need blood on a year-round, continuous basis. Over fifty per cent of blood components are used in planned surgical operations, in which each patient generally needs a few bags of blood. However, in autumn, the number of operations grows, increasing the need for red cells. In addition to patients undergoing surgery, blood components are needed by other patient groups, such as accident victims, cancer patients and premature babies.

Blood donors are needed every day, from all blood groups, because patients usually receive blood components compliant with their specific blood group. No medicines can replace blood.

The swine influenza virus does not affect blood donation

The spread to Finland of so-called swine flu, the H1N1 influenza, will not affect the health assessment of blood donors. All blood donors must be healthy and free of any symptoms.

The Blood Service strives to ensure that hospitals can be supplied with all blood components needed by patients, even during an epidemic. Since no blood components are needed in the treatment of influenza patients, the epidemic will not increase the need for blood.

The fever caused by the influenza virus is taken into account in assessing the blood donor’s state of health, as with normal seasonal influenzas. At the earliest, influenza sufferers can donate blood two weeks after becoming free of all symptoms.

Who can donate?

Blood donors must be in good health, 18 to 65 years of age and weigh at least 50 kg. New donors must be under the age of 60. Men can donate blood at two and women at three-month intervals. The blood haemoglobin level is always measured prior to donating and must be at least 135 g/l for men and 125 g/l for women. Blood donors must identify themselves using an official ID card.

You can ask beforehand whether you can donate blood. Call the free-of-charge helpline for donors at 0800 0 5801 (weekdays from 8am to 5pm).