Red Cross organizes blood collections at more than 400 locations during summer months to ensure blood supply

Every year during the summer vacations, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders sees a steep drop in the number of blood donations. This puts pressure on the blood supply. In order to provide enough blood also this summer, 40,000 donors are needed. Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is organizing 409 mobile collections in July and August to welcome that number of donors.

"The children are at home, parents are less flexible, people travel and may temporarily not donate blood at distant destinations. Thus, there are several reasons why the number of donations during the summer is lower than usual. Last year we were really at a low level by the end of the summer. To avoid that, we organize 10 collections a day during the two summer months," says Jolien Pardon of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders.

Thousands of blood transfusions take place every year in Flanders. They are needed after an accident or surgery, during childbirth or for patients with anemia or sickle cell disease. In total, some 70% of Flemings need blood, plasma or a derivative at some point in their lives.

In order to have a sufficient blood supply year after year, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders can count on donations from hundreds of thousands of Flemish people. Last year some 150,000 Flemings gave blood, which accounted for more than 200,000 donations; blood can be donated up to 4 times a year.

Mobile collections, hypoallergenic sunscreen and thousands of ice creams

To cushion the annual summer dip, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders organizes 409 mobile collections during the vacation months, which are blood collections at people's homes in the neighborhood. For example in a sports hall, or local event location. In addition, the 15 donor centers are also open. In total, they expect about 40,000 blood donations.

"To further motivate donors, we give an ice cream for every donor at a donor center. We expect to hand out thousands again" says Jolien Pardon "It offers some refreshment during the hot summer days. At the mobile collections, where we come to your neighborhood, it is not possible to provide ice cream, so we provide a voucher for an ice cream and you can also take home a tube of hypoallergenic sunscreen. In the summer, our message is invariably: lubricate, lubricate, lubricate. So we like to give our donors a hand".

O-negative

The blood group O-negative, which is more widely used in emergency situations, is already at a lower level at the beginning of the summer. Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is therefore making an extra appeal to people with this blood group.

In your area

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders organizes blood collections all over Flanders with the support of hundreds of volunteers, also in your neighborhood. Besides the mobile collections, there are also the 15 permanent donor centers. Make an appointment at www.rodekruis.be/donorportaal, or by calling 0800 777 00. Making an appointment is mandatory.