Blood donation

For decades, a Finnish motorist association, SMOTO (Suomen Motoristit ry), has been actively encouraging its members to donate blood. Raimo Ryhtä, a motorist and active blood donor from the city of Forssa, has a goal of riding his motorcycle always to a new place to extend his helping hand, or rather, his arm.

Blood donors only accounted for just over 3% of all people in the donating age range in Finland last year. Over the past ten years, the proportion has decreased by approximately a percentage point. It's important for preparedness to increase the number of new blood donors.

How did we manage to take care of Finland's blood supply last year? In the Blood Service's new annual report 2023, you will find key figures and statistics, as well as reviews of the most important changes and events of last year.

The Blood Service has started testing blood donors for hepatitis E as hepatitis E infections have increased in Finland in the beginning of this year. There have been no reported cases of hepatitis E transmitted via transfusions in Finland, but blood donors are now being tested for hepatitis E to ensure the safety of blood products.

It is important that enough donors lend a helping hand on the days leading up to and immediately after Easter. The Blood Service centres are closed on Good Friday March 29th but open on Easter Monday, April 1st.

As of 1st of March 2024, blood donors can only verify their identity with a valid ID. For example, an expired passport is no longer sufficient to prove identity.

Blood Service resumes plasma collection after a break of several years. Plasma can be donated at the Blood Service’s Vantaa unit.

The Blood Service will test emergency communication tools on its website and in its mobile application on 25 January. The test will not require any action from blood donors.

From 15 January 2024, blood donors will be able to donate at the Blood Service’s new site at the Jumbo-Flamingo shopping centre in Vantaa. The Blood Service hopes that the new, permanent location will be able to reach more people and expand the donor base.

From 15 January 2024, blood donors will be able to donate at the Blood Service’s new site at the Jumbo-Flamingo shopping centre in Vantaa. The new donation site is located on the second floor of the Flamingo entertainment centre.

Christmas Eve falls on a weekend this year. On Friday 22 December, blood can be donated at the Blood Service's permanent locations and blood donation events at Hyvinkää, Porvoo, Loimaa, Pirkkala and Ähtävä. The next possibility is on Boxing Day 26 December.

The Blood Service will be closed on 6 December for Independence Day. Holidays that fall on weekdays increase the need for blood donors on other days of the month as patients still need blood products regardless of the holidays.