2024-02-04 15:53:29
Health blood donations
A particularly important blood group is already missing in clinics
As of: 4:53 p.m. | Reading time: 2 minutes
Less than three percent of people in Germany donate blood regularly
Quelle: picture alliance/dpa
Blood donations can save lives. But in winter, supplies from blood donation services in this country always become dangerously low. The Red Cross is currently looking at several federal states with concern – because two unfavorable factors are currently coming together there.
Some have a cold, others are in a carnival party mood: Because fewer people are currently donating blood, supplies at the DRK Blood Donation Service West are worryingly low. For a particularly important blood group, it is no longer possible to supply clinics in full, said spokesman Stephan David Küpper.
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Hospitals in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland are affected. The reason: A lot of people are sick this winter and therefore cannot come to donate blood. The experts do not expect any relief in the coming weeks either.
Clinics are receiving fewer canned goods for emergencies
Long-time blood donors who have one of the particularly sought-after blood groups are currently being called specifically and asked for support. In addition, the German Red Cross (DRK) wants to set up “pop-up” blood donation stations in busy city centers on Saturdays in the next few weeks in order to appeal to those who decide to do so at short notice.
Attempts are being made on social networks to mobilize young people to donate blood. With a blood group barometer, the West Blood Donation Service shows on Facebook and Instagram which blood groups are particularly missing – currently primarily blood group 0 and all blood groups with Rhesus factor negative.
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With blood group 0 negative, almost 40 percent of clinic orders can no longer be served, said Küpper. The blood type is particularly popular because everyone can tolerate it and it can therefore be given immediately to any patient in the emergency room, for example.
“Gaps in supply should ideally not arise in the first place – that is why the DRK blood donation service is calling on people to donate blood now,” emphasized Küpper. “We can only access this important and life-saving resource of blood if people are willing to donate blood regularly.”
Blood products only last a few days
Blood platelets, which are particularly important for cancer patients, only last for four days after donation. That’s why it’s so important that people continue to donate blood during the carnival days. This is vital for cancer patients because blood platelets are destroyed during chemotherapy and then have to be replaced. Almost 20 percent of the donated blood is needed for cancer patients, said Küpper.
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The DRK blood donation service West is responsible for North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. The DRK operates by far the largest blood donation service in Germany. Blood donations are also possible in many hospitals, especially in large cities. Overall, less than three percent of people in Germany donate blood regularly. In the large metropolitan areas on the Rhine and Ruhr the proportion is significantly lower than in the countryside.
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