Blood donors needed to secure blood supply during Christmas
The Finnish Blood Service is currently inviting donors to book appointments in advance for Christmas week, as hospitals need blood products around Christmas and New Year. For blood product deliveries, the days before Christmas Eve and Boxing Day are critically important.
During Christmas week, Blood Service offices will be open on 22–23 December and on Boxing Day, 26 December. On these days, blood donation events will also be organized across Finland.
“We hope for plenty of bookings for these days. By planning ahead, we ensure that every patient receives the blood products they need,” emphasizes Johanna Castrén, Head of Blood Donation at the Blood Service.
Traditionally, blood donors have been active during Christmas, and many have the habit of giving their own “gift” to patients at this time. This year, the Christmas season is particularly challenging for the Blood Service because there are very few weekdays around Christmas. Blood products have relatively short shelf lives and cannot be stored for long periods in advance. For example, platelet products last for a maximum of one week.
Book an appointment or drop by – encouraging your friends and family is also important
Statistics from 2024 show that hospitals prepared carefully for the holidays and ordered plenty of blood products well before Christmas. Last year, during the week before Christmas, the Blood Service delivered almost 3,200 red cell products and over 500 platelet products to hospitals. During Christmas week, deliveries were slightly smaller: just under 2,000 red cell products and over 400 platelet products.
On an ordinary week, 2,800–3,000 red cell products and 500–600 platelet products are delivered for healthcare use.
Blood products must always be available, for example in case of major accidents.
“It’s important that many come to lend a hand around Christmas and New Year. And if you can’t donate right now, encouraging your friends and family is a big help,” reminds Johanna Castrén.
The Blood Service has permanent offices in ten locations, and in addition, blood donation events are organized every weekday in various towns. In the Helsinki metropolitan area, you can also donate blood in the blood donation bus.
Our opening hours, mobile events, and appointment booking can be found on our website.
Christmas and New Year opening hours:
- 23 Dec: 10:00–17:00
- 24 Dec Christmas Eve: Closed
- 25 Dec Christmas Day: Closed
26 Dec Boxing Day:
- 10:00–17:00 Jyväskylä, Lahti, Oulu, Sanomatalo, Seinäjoki, Turku, Vantaa
- 11:00–18:00 Espoo, Tampere
Blood donation events on 26 Dec:
- 12:00–16:00 Siilinjärvi, Parish Hall
- 12:00–17:00 Riihimäki, Kirkkopuisto Parish Home
31 Dec New Year’s Eve:
Offices open 10:00–17:00, except Seinäjoki, which will host a blood donation event in Tuuri at from 12:00–16:00.
1 Jan New Year’s Day: Closed
6 Jan Epiphany: Closed
The Blood Service thanks all blood donors for the past year and wishes you a peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
