Work communities as blood donors are an important part of Finland’s blood supply
Finland continuously needs new blood donors from different population groups, and workplaces have a significant opportunity to contribute. Already more than 550 workplaces allow blood donation during working hours. The Blood Service of the Finnish Red Cross hopes that even more workplaces will join, so that more people have the opportunity to donate blood.
Encouraging blood donation at workplaces is a concrete way to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. It gives employees the opportunity to help patients in need of blood products while supporting the overall functioning of Finland’s blood supply system.
Blood donation during working hours is becoming more common
An increasing number of organizations have adopted the workplace certificate of the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service. The certificate recognizes workplaces where employees have the opportunity to donate blood during working hours.
The use of the certificate has grown steadily: currently, 567 workplaces across Finland have adopted it.
“Cooperation with workplaces is important for the Blood Service. The partnership is built on trust and a shared goal of helping patients. Work communities can encourage their staff to donate blood, for example by organizing joint donation visits, sharing information, and making blood donation a visible part of workplace culture,” says Hille Nylander, Partnership Manager at the Blood Service.
Over 1,300 donor groups at workplaces
There is also a growing number of active blood donor groups at workplaces, and joint donation visits have become part of everyday life in many organizations. There are approximately 1,300 workplace donor groups operating in Finland. In 2025, their members donated blood a total of 14,300 times, accounting for nearly one third of all donor group visits (46,960 in total).
“When blood donation is done together, it becomes part of the work community’s identity – a small act for the individual, but of great importance to many who need it. At the same time, new donors are inspired to join when blood donation is encouraged at the workplace,” Nylander notes.
Voimatel helping to safeguard security of supply
One active blood-donating work community is Voimatel Oy. The company designs, builds, and maintains digital infrastructure in Finland. Voimatel has more than 20 offices across the country and employs approximately 700 people in Finland and in Estonia.
Voimatel’s own donor group has been active for around eight years. The group was initiated by the company’s employee and active blood donor, HR Business Partner Erja Turpeinen.
The company adopted the Blood Service’s workplace certificate at the beginning of 2026. At Voimatel, employees have the opportunity to donate blood during working hours once a year.
“I see blood donation as a small act for an individual, but with great societal impact. I hope that work communities will more widely engage in blood donation activities,” Turpeinen says.
Like blood donation activities, Voimatel is also a critical actor in terms of society’s security of supply.
“By donating blood, we take concrete care of patients and also help maintain society’s security of supply. This kind of impact fits perfectly with Voimatel’s ideology,” Erja Turpeinen concludes.
