DRK Urges Blood Donations Ahead of Autumn Holidays
The German Red Cross (DRK) is urging the public to donate blood, especially during the upcoming autumn and around the October 3rd holiday. The current blood supply is stable but low and can change quickly due to the short shelf life of platelets, which last only four days. The DRK is particularly calling for donations in regions like Düsseldorf, Oberspreewald-Lausitz in Brandenburg, Saxony, Berlin, and Brandenburg.
A blood donation takes around 45 minutes and can help many people. The DRK is encouraging first-time donors to start donating blood now. However, the DRK warns that people who feel sick should not donate blood to avoid infecting other donors and staff, especially during the upcoming flu season.
The DRK is experiencing a general lack of new donors, which is a long-term trend. Additionally, the strong birth cohorts of the baby boomers will gradually drop out due to health reasons in the coming years, increasing the need for new donors. To accommodate potential donors, the DRK offers special appointment hours on Saturdays during the holiday season.
The DRK emphasizes the critical need for blood donations, especially for platelet concentrates, which are crucial for cancer patients. With the autumn holidays approaching, the DRK urges all eligible donors to contribute and help maintain a stable blood supply.
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