The beginning of summer challenges blood donation: the need for blood donors is constant
The end of May and the beginning of June is a challenging time to get enough blood donors to donation points. The same week at the end of May includes Ascension Day and the school graduation weekend, so many people have busy schedules. On Ascension Day, May 29th, donation points are closed, and there are only four blood donation days in the week instead of five. Every blood donation is an invaluable help.
Patients need blood products every day, all year round. The Blood Service delivers over 3,000 red blood cell products and over 500 platelet products to Finnish hospitals every week. These products are used to treat, among others, cancer patients, surgery patients, and accident victims.
Although many services slow down during holidays, treatment continues in hospitals. For example, platelets, which are vital for cancer patients, only last a week from donation. This means that stocks cannot be filled far in advance, and fresh blood is needed continuously – even during holidays, says Anu Keisala, the operational manager of blood donation.
An easy way to do good
Blood donation is an easy and concrete way to do good: it takes only about an hour, and one donation can help up to three patients. Every weekday, donors of all blood groups are needed to ensure that patients in Finland receive the blood products they need.
If you cannot donate blood yourself right now, advocating for blood donation is also important. Anyone can encourage their friends, family members, or colleagues to donate blood.
You can donate at donation points, blood donation events, or the Blood Donation Bus
A blood donor can book an appointment on the Blood Service’s website for the nearest donation point or drop by to ask for available times. Blood can be donated all year round anywhere in Finland, regardless of your place of residence. The Blood Service has ten fixed donation points across Finland. Additionally, it organizes over a thousand blood donation events annually across Finland, including the Blood Donation Bus.
The donor application brings your donation information to your phone
By downloading the donor application, the donor gets their blood donation information, such as blood group and hemoglobin levels measured during donation, directly to their phone. The application now also offers virtual lifesaver badges.
More information
More information about blood donation and the nearest donation points can be found on the Blood Service’s website and the donor application. The free donor helpline at 0800 0 5801 is also available every weekday (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
