Students aim for record number of blood donations for Belgian Red Cross-Flanders

With its annual "Blood Serious" campaign, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is aiming for a record number of blood donations this year. Thousands of students from dozens of colleges and universities are participating, with a kickoff in Antwerp on Feb. 18. The campaign runs until the end of May and hopes to collect 12,000 blood and plasma donations.

"Last year was an absolute record year, this year we want to do even better. Several new colleges and universities are once again participating." beams Abdelkebir El Makhloufi, responsible for the action at Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, "We attract new donors and the students do their bit to save lives. A real win-win."

This year marks the start of the ^36th edition of Bloedserieus. The very first action took place in Leuven, where students of biomedical sciences committed themselves to the blood collections of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. Since then, the action has become an absolute classic. Thousands of students donate blood on their campus. Students (associations) themselves encourage their fellow students to give blood. Last year, more than 11,000 students donated blood or plasma over the two semesters. This year, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is aiming for 12,000 donations.

"It's great to see students inspiring each other to donate blood. Every drop counts and that's how we can make a big difference here at Campus Groenplaats! And that together with friends and a nice goodie bag as a reward? You can't miss that, can you?" testifies student Kathy of Charlemagne University and praesidium member of student association Transfusia. "It's already alive on campus, exciting to see how many students we can finally drum up," said Lars, Kathy's colleague at student association Transfusia.

Starting shot in Antwerp

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is kicking off the campaign at Charlemagne High School. They are not participating in the campaign for the first time. The campaign allows Belgian Red Cross-Flanders to replenish the blood supply, but it is more than that: "We want to encourage students to give blood or plasma more often, " says Abdelkebir, "We create a familiar environment by coming to the universities ourselves with our staff. Students learn about the process that way."

Throughout the year, you can donate blood and plasma at the 14 Red Cross donation centers or give blood during mobile collections.

Blood and Plasma

For the second year in a row, you can donate not only blood but also plasma during the campaign. Plasma donation can be done at a donor center, blood giving is done on campus. "Blood can save lives. Blood is needed patients who experience an accident and lose a lot of blood, or, for example, people who need blood transfusions for cancer treatments," says Abdelkebir, "But plasma is also life-saving: this yellow liquid from blood is essential for drug development or plasma transfusions in babies with jaundice."

Overview of different locations and dates

See table below. If you are interested in attending any of the locations, contact perszaken@rodekruis.be or 0471622970.