Blood donations drop during hot weather – Blood Service steps up efforts to recruit donors
The long hot spell and vacation season have reduced the number of blood donors. Normally, more than 600 blood donors are needed every day, but in recent days the number has fallen to less than 500.
The Blood Service is now actively inviting donors of all blood types to roll up their sleeves. There is a particularly high need for donors with negative blood types, as they represent a very small proportion of the population.
“Only about 15 percent of Finns are Rh-negative, so maintaining blood reserves for these groups depends on a small group of donors,” says Johanna Castrén, Director of Blood Donation.
One summer weekend requires hundreds of blood products
Blood products are used to treat premature babies, cancer patients, accident victims, and women in childbirth, among others.
Even during the summer months, Finland needs around 600–700 blood donors every weekday. During the summer vacation months, the number of donors usually decreases temporarily, but hospitals continue to operate as normal.
During a single summer weekend, the Blood Service delivers nearly 600 red blood cell products and 200 thrombocyte products to hospitals. The need for blood donors is therefore constant.
“The Blood Service operates 24/7, and blood donors are a vital part of this readiness. A huge thank you to all the volunteer blood donors who roll up their sleeves even in the summer heat,” says Castrén.
Blood can be donated at service points, blood donation events or on the bus
The Blood Service has permanent service points in ten locations, and blood donation events are also organized in different locations every day. In the Helsinki metropolitan area, blood can also be donated on the blood donation bus. Donation locations and times, as well as appointment booking, can be found online at veripalvelu.fi. You can also donate without an appointment. In the summer, you may find a compatible donation location at your summer cottage or along your vacation route.
You can donate blood if:
- You are healthy and in good physical condition.
- You are between 18 and 70 years of age.
- You weigh at least 50 kg and no more than 200 kg.
- You have a Finnish personal identity code and official identification.
- Sufficient time has passed since your last donation. (link to calculator)
- Your hemoglobin level is adequate (at least 125 g/l for women and 135 g/l for men).
- If you would like more information about the requirements for donating or how the medication you are taking affects your eligibility to donate, please call the free donor information phone number 0800 05801, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
