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International World Blood Donor Day on June 14 draws attention to the central importance of blood donations in medicine / Thanks to 16,000 blood donors every year / Small gift on the day of action and festival prize draw / Continued high demand for donati

For 20 years, blood donation services around the world have been using the international Blood Donor Day on June 14 to draw attention to the importance of blood donations. The blood donation daygoes back to the birthday of the physician Karl Landsteiner. Around 1900, he discovered AB0, the most important blood group classification to date, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1930. His research made human-to-human blood transfusions possible with a high degree of certainty for the first time. The Blood Donation Center at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg also uses this day to say a heartfelt thank you to all blood donors.

In Freiburg and elsewhere, the campaign day falls at a particularly critical time: after the Whitsun vacations, the depot situation is tense and the Blood Donor Center is looking ahead with concern to the approaching summer vacations. "The number of blood donations traditionally declines during the vacation season," reports Prof. Dr. Richard Schäfer, Head of Transfusion Medicine at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "It would therefore be important for us to start the vacation period with the best possible depot situation. Unfortunately, this has become an ever greater challenge in recent years."

Demographic change affects supply

In addition to the limited shelf life of blood products, demographic change is another reason: for every fewer potential blood donors, there are more recipients of blood transfusions. "It was a relief for us when the legislator lifted the upper age limit last fall," says Schäfer. "Unfortunately, however, word has not yet spread among the population that people over 60 can still donate blood - as long as they are in good health." This is regularly checked by the donor doctors at the blood donation center.

Generally, healthy people aged 18 and over can donate blood. However, some factors such as stays abroad, illnesses or taking medication can stand in the way of donating blood. Anyone who would like to know whether it is possible to donate blood can find detailed information on the homepage of the blood donation center. On June 14, the blood donation center will also have an information stand in Freiburg city center on the corner of Bertoldstrasse and Niemensstrasse.

A special form of commitment

The Freiburg Blood Donor Center would also like to thank the approximately 16,000 people who contribute to the reliable supply of blood products to patients at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg every year. "From women who have complications during childbirth or pregnancy, to accident victims, major operations and cancer patients - each and every one of us can suddenly need a blood transfusion," explains Schäfer. "Although research has made progress, this blood cannot be produced artificially. We would therefore like to thank all the people from the bottom of our hearts who are making an important contribution to the health of others with their selfless donations."

Small thank you and festival prize draw

As a small thank you for this special commitment, everyone who donates blood on June 14 can look forward to a small gift. The blood donation center is also launching a campaign in collaboration with the Freiburg Heroes Festival on this day: From June 14 to July 14, the blood donation center will be giving away 3x2 weekend tickets for the German rap festival among all donors during this period. In addition, all those who have donated blood there this year will receive a discount of 10 euros on the ticket prices. The discount code will also be available at the registration desk from World Blood Donor Day.

Opening hours of the blood donation center:

• Monday and Tuesday | 8 am to 3 pm
• Wednesday and Thursday | 12 to 7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday | 8 am to 1 pm

Current information and appointments can be made at www.blutspende-uniklinik.de

Caption 1: The whole team at the blood donation center lends a hand to ensure a safe blood supply.

Caption 2: The team at the Blood Donation Center would like to thank the 16,000 blood donors who gave blood last year.

Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg