Successful first half of year for plasma and blood donations at Belgian Red Cross-Flanders but new donors still desperately needed

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders looks back on a successful first half of 2024. Thanks to the massive response to our appeals and actions, both plasma and blood donations are in line with expectations. We thank the Flemings for their selfless contribution, but at the same time also urge us not to rest on our laurels, especially with the traditional summer dip in donations approaching.

Great results were achieved in the first half of this year:

• Plasma: 75,353 successful donations from 31,052 donors, an increase of 13% in the number of donations and 29% in the number of donors compared to the same period last year. The number of new plasma donors went from 3,009 to 5,143, an increase of more than 70%.
• Blood: 118,511 successful donations from 91,430 donors (including 9,565 new donors). These numbers are a quasi status quo with last year. But this is also a good result since the blood stock was and is under control in the first half of the year (i.e. no acute shortages of certain target groups have occurred or are occurring).

Despite these great numbers, we continue to urge all Flemings to donate blood and plasma. Every day, people need life-saving blood or plasma. 

Preventing summer dip: donate at our special locations

During the summer months, we traditionally see a decrease in the number of plasma and blood donations due to vacation periods. Therefore, this year we are again organizing donations in unique locations to make donating even more attractive. Combine a fun trip or vacation with a good deed.

Some of these special locations include:

• Zilvermeer Mol: Friday, August 30, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Zilvermeerlaan 2, 2400 Mol

Of course, you can always make an appointment to donate plasma or blood in one of our 14 donor centers (Aalst, Beringen, Bruges, Brussels, Edegem, Geel, Genk, Ghent, Kortrijk, Leuven, Mechelen, Roeselare, Sint Niklaas and Turnhout). These are the places where plasma can be given (it cannot be given at the special locations) and since plasma is still an important priority, all donations are very welcome.

Warm call

Don't wait to make an appointment to donate right now. Both regular and new donors are especially welcome at one of our donor centers or during a mobile collection. Visit our website www.rodekruis.be/donorportaal to find a convenient location and time and make an appointment. Or call our toll-free number 0800 777 00.

Those wishing to donate for the first time should first take the Donor Self-Test. For more information about donating blood or plasma, visit rodekruis.be/blood

Together, we can ensure that there is never a shortage of blood and plasma.