Scoop in Flanders: pharmacy crosses now show live blood supply
For the first time, pharmacy crosses in Flanders will display current blood supplies. On average, the blood supply is strong, but occasionally there are moments of specific shortages. In 2024, there were 18 days when at least one blood group reached a critical level, each time after the vacation period or holidays. To make blood supply more visible and raise awareness about blood donation, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is starting a collaboration with Pharmes, the market leader in pharmacy LED signs. "In the short term it is about 20 crosses, but by the end of the year we want to increase that number to more than a hundred" says Vincent Verbeecke, spokesman for Belgian Red Cross-Flanders.
"The technology behind the LED pharmacy crosses is a real first in Belgium. With this innovation, we want to give pharmacists the opportunity to play a visible social role. They will of course decide for themselves whether to activate this function, but we are already receiving many positive reactions and concrete questions from pharmacists who want to participate," says Mathieu Dejager, business manager at Pharmes..
Throughout the year Belgian Red Cross-Flanders ensures a stable blood supply, thanks to thousands of blood donors. A stable blood supply is necessary to ensure that operations can continue, cancer patients continue to receive blood transfusions, people who experience an accident can survive.
During vacations and public holidays, however, this is less straightforward. In 2024, there were thus 18 days where the blood supply for at least one blood group was critical. Belgian Red Cross-Flanders has procedures in place that ensure known donors are actively called at these times. A general public appeal is the last resort, but they are reluctant to use this. More important is to attract enough new donors each year. "New donors help us continue to guarantee the blood supply in the future. Today we can count on a loyal donor base, but because of natural attrition, it is very important that we continue to attract new people." says Verbeecke.
Eighteen critical days in 2024
In 2024, there were seventeen days when one blood group reached a critical level, and one day when two blood groups were critical at the same time. A critical blood supply means that deliveries to hospitals are limited, potentially delaying non-urgent operations. However, urgent supplies are almost always guaranteed.
"There are four blood groups - O, A, B and AB - combined with the rhesus factor, which determines whether the blood is positive or negative," explains Verbeecke. "People with a negative blood type can usually donate to someone with a positive blood type of the same type, but not vice versa. Negative blood is therefore more usable, which increases demand. O-negative blood can even be administered to anyone in an emergency."
"It is precisely those negative blood groups that are most often critical. In 2024, AB-negative was 11 days critical, each time in February. B-negative was at critical level for six days, each time in November. And on Nov. 13, both O-negative and B-negative were at critical levels. So far this year, there was one critical day: Jan. 15, then for blood type B-negative."
The explanation lies largely in vacation periods and public holidays, according to Belgian Red Cross-Flanders . "Those who travel outside Europe may not donate blood for one to six months. Traveling also makes it practically more difficult to donate, and we therefore see a clear decline in August and September. Illness in turn leads to a two-week postponement, which is especially impactful during the winter months. Thus the months of September, November, December and February are often under pressure." Belgian Red Cross-Flanders therefore calls on Flemish people to donate blood even during the vacation periods, using the online donor self-test on the organization's website to determine if you can donate blood.
From streetscape to donation
Seventy percent of all Flemings need blood or plasma at some point to survive. Thanks to the new partnership with Pharmes, the actual blood supply is literally on the streets. A (life-saving) first for Flanders. Pharmes annually delivers some 120 new LED crosses to pharmacists. Starting in April, 20 of these crosses will be equipped with the ability to display live blood stocks. That information is based on real-time data from Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. By the end of this year there should be more than a hundred green crosses.
Towards a more stable blood supply
The collaboration is part of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders ' broader strategy to attract an even broader donor base for both blood and plasma. "A broad donor base is also essential in times of crisis. During Covid we saw that blood and plasma donations remained relatively stable with us, which was not the case in all countries. You only get that resilience with a broad and diverse donor base. So new donors are more than welcome, every contribution counts." concludes Verbeecke.
Belgian Red Cross-Flanders organizes blood collections all over Flanders, including in your neighborhood. Find out where and when you can donate via www.rodekruis.be/donorportaal.
To whom can you give blood?
