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Spectacular campaign in the hospital park draws attention to the urgent need for blood donations

A bright red pond in the middle of the hospital park: with this impressive action, the University Medical Center Freiburg today made a statement visible from afar - and drew attention to the life-saving importance of blood donations. A patient who is dependent on blood donations, a regular donor and hospital representatives symbolically colored the pond with red, ecologically safe food coloring.

"Without blood donations, many treatments would be impossible. Especially in oncology, the demand is constantly high," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Richard Schäfer, Head of Transfusion Medicine at the Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy at the Freiburg University Medical Center. "With the color campaign in the clinic park, we want to show impressively that Blood donation is a central component of our medical care," says Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Director of the University Medical Center Freiburg.

With around 30,000 blood donations per year, the University Medical Center Freiburg covers its own needs and can thus ensure a reliable supply for its patients. Blood products are mainly used in accidents and operations, but also in cancer treatment. Each blood donation is divided into three components, which have very different shelf lives: Platelets, for example, can only be used for four days - this makes continuous donations absolutely essential. "The regular donors support the system - our special thanks go to them," says Schäfer.

The number of blood donors is falling - especially after vacation periods. One reason for this is that people returning from certain regions, such as Spain, the south of France or cities like Barcelona, Paris or Rome, have to take a four-week break before they can donate again due to possible viral infections such as dengue. "Donating blood is quick and easy - and there's no substitute for it," says Schäfer. "If you are healthy: Please donate. You save lives."

Puzzle fun and attractive prizes

From June 16 to July 31, the Blood Donation Center at the Freiburg University Medical Center invites you to join in the puzzle fun: Tricky puzzles can be solved during the donation - with a bit of luck, there are attractive prizes in the prize pot.

Captions:
Picture 1: Together, a patient who depends on blood donations, a regular donor and hospital representatives symbolically colored the pond with red, ecologically safe food coloring.
Picture 2+3, 5+6: An unusual sight: The pond in the park of the University Medical Center glows red.
Image 4: Empty blood bags indicate the lack of blood reserves.
Image source: University Medical Center Freiburg