Blood supply starts with donors – new blood donors play a key role
In 2025, a total of 107,878 people donated blood. Just under 19,000 of them were new donors. For the first time, men surpassed women in the number of new donors. More new donors are needed, and this year’s goal is to reach 22,000.
Slightly over 17 % of all donors were new
In 2025, 18,767 new blood donors registered, representing 17.40 % of all donors.
For the first time, men outnumbered women among new donors: 9,525 men and 9,242 women registered. Men’s share rose to 51 %.
Women are still more active donors overall: 54 % of all visitors were women and 46 % men.
The 2026 goal is 22,000 new donors
Only 3 % of the population eligible to donate blood in Finland donates annually. Strengthening the donor base and recruiting new donors is one of the Blood Service’s key preparedness objectives. A total of 107,878 people donated blood last year.
“Thanks go to everyone who donated, to workplaces that have allowed blood donation during working hours, and to all advocates,” says Johanna Castrén, the head of blood donation.
More donors are still needed. Each month, some regular donors must stop due to age or medical reasons. Life situations may also lead to long donation breaks. This year, the goal is to get 22,000 first‑time donors to lend a helping arm – and to encourage previous donors to continue.
“New donors are essential from a preparedness-perspective. They help expand and diversify the donor base, keeping it flexible so that the entire blood supply remains secure now and in the future,” Castrén emphasizes.
“Voluntary blood donors are invaluable to patients. Donating blood is an easy and rewarding way to help, and it only takes about an hour. A large share of people are eligible to donate,” Castrén encourages.
Strong role of garrisons
Garrisons played a particularly significant role in recruiting new donors in 2025. They form the largest single group of new donors.
Last year, 2,455 new donors participated in donation events at garrisons, representing 13 % of all new donors (2022: 7 %, 2023: 10 %, 2024: 11 %).
“The number of donation events in garrisons has been increased, and we thank the Defence Forces for this important cooperation. It is great that voluntary blood donation is made possible for young people completing their service,” says Castrén.
Growing use of English
Blood donation is available in Finnish, Swedish, and English. In 2025, the share of donors using English increased again. Their share was 2.5 % compared to 2.1 % in 2024 and 1.5 % in 2023.
The share of donors using Swedish was 7.2 % (2024: 7.1 %).
The Blood Service is the only operator of its kind in Finland. Patients need blood for surgeries, treatments, childbirth, and emergencies. Blood products are fresh products that cannot be stored for long and cannot be manufactured artificially – each unit comes from a voluntary donor.
