More plasma needed for patients: Belgian Red Cross-Flanders scales up ambitions and opens 2 new sites a year

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is committed to helping patients in need of plasma. The organization is committed to collecting 5% more plasma annually through 2029. A new ambition that has been set together with the Belgian government. To achieve this goal, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is expanding its capacity with the opening of two new sites per year to give plasma.  

Although plasma donation is less known to the Flemings, it is at least as important as a blood donation. Plasma is used for direct administration to patients, for example for clotting disorders or severe burns, but also for the production of life-saving medication. These medications are essential for patients with conditions such as hemophilia or immune disorders. Saving lives is central to this and Belgian Red Cross-Flanders emphasizes that awareness of this must continue to grow.

More locations to give plasma

A new donor center will open its doors in Oudenaarde in spring 2025. The location of other new sites are still being determined and will be announced in due course. The new locations will be equipped with cots for, predominantly, plasma donations but also for blood donations For all locations, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is aiming for a minimum of 4,000 plasma donations in the first year.

The careful selection of sites is always based on research and analysis. Various criteria, such as demographics (age, gender, population density, nationality, location) but also accessibility, parking, etc. are thoroughly considered. The goal is to reduce the distance to a location for every Fleming to give plasma. 

Increasing demand for plasma 

The new sites are necessary to meet the rising demand for plasma, a trend that will only increase in the coming years. Specifically, some 20,000 patients already need plasma in Belgium today. This number continues to rise. Moreover, treatment with plasma is intensive: 80 to 120 donations are sometimes needed for 1 patient per year versus 1 (or a few) blood bag(s) for surgery. 

All patients must be helped

To address the great need for plasma, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders has committed to collecting 5% more plasma annually through 2029. This goal, although challenging, is achievable given the results of recent years. The solidarity of the Flemish people, who always voluntarily donate plasma and blood, plays a crucial role in this. Belgian Red Cross-Flanders expresses its sincere thanks and appreciation for this.

Belgium strives, as it does for blood, to be as independent as possible from foreign countries for plasma. This is essential to ensure the affordability, supply and quality of life-saving plasma-based medication. In 2018, the target for plasma collection was about 120,000 liters. By 2023, this had increased to 153,000 liters, and by 2025, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders should collect about 169,000 liters. This means that Belgian Red Cross-Flanders should collect 206,553 liters of plasma by 2029 which represents an annual growth of 5%. A whopping 71% increase over the 2018 target.

Plasma donation saves lives

In order to be able to help all patients who need plasma, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is calling on both new and existing donors to donate plasma. This can be done in one of the 14 (as of next year in 16) donor centers in Flanders. 

Those interested can make an appointment at rodekruis.be/donorportal or by calling the toll-free number 0800 777 00.

Plasma can be given every two weeks, which is much more frequent than a blood donation, which is allowed only four times a year.