Brand new donor center opened in Kortrijk
Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is proud to announce the opening of its renovated donor center in Kortrijk. After a successful 14-year period in the Tournai neighborhood, the donor center has today moved into the K shopping center, in the heart of Kortrijk. The new location not only provides more space and comfort for donors, but also strengthens the connection with the local community and facilitates access for people from all over the region.
With 10 beds for plasma donations, 2 beds for blood donations and a team of 12 employees, the new donor center is ready to welcome donors in a more spacious, airy and modern environment. Last year there were 2,400 blood donations and 15,250 plasma donations in Kortrijk. This year's target is 2,600 blood donations and 16,500 plasma donations.
Bram Vandekerkhove, Team Leader Donor Center Kortrijk, is enthusiastic about the new location: "Very pleased to be able to work in this new location. It is spacious, airy, with state-of-the-art infrastructure and a top-notch team of employees. We look forward to welcoming our donors here and of course hope that many new donors will find their way to this beautiful donor center in Kortrijk K."
With the ongoing donordate campaign, which runs until Friday, June 28, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders aims to recruit 5,500 new donors throughout Flanders and collect 5% more plasma than last year. The campaign encourages people to come together to donate plasma and inspire their friends, family and acquaintances to come and donate blood or plasma for the first time, together.
Philippe Vandekerckhove, Chief executive officer, CEO of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, stresses the importance of the new location in the context of the growing need for plasma: "A simple blood or plasma donation saves lives. This year we are aiming for 5 percent more plasma donations, which amounts to an additional 7,500 liters. For this we need our regular donors and many new donors. A beautiful, comfortable and easily accessible location is then a must."
Central location, better accessibility, wide opening hours
The new donor center in Kortrijk is located at Steenpoort 2 - 8500 Kortrijk and is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except Fridays: from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.), with additional Saturday openings from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 1, Aug. 24, Oct. 26 and Dec. 28.
- Those coming by car can park for free for 2h under the mall (parking tickets will be validated at the donor center).
- And the mall is also easily accessible by public transportation.
- It is just a 6-minute walk from the train station. Several city and suburban lines take you directly to the shopping center.
- Bus lines 9, 42, 50, 51, 71, 72, 74 and 75 will get you to K in Kortrijk effortlessly. Just get off at the 'Kortrijk K' and 'Kortrijk Spoorweglaan' stops, which are located near the entrance.
- For those coming by bicycle, free bicycle parking is available.
Warm call
The Red Cross is making a warm appeal to both regular and new donors to do their part by donating blood and plasma. Donors can make an appointment via rodekruis.be/donorportaal or by calling the toll-free number 0800 777 00. First-time donors can first take the donor self-test .
