Sick and injured - Blood Donation Particularly Important During the Holiday Season
In view of the vacation season, Bavaria's Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) is promoting blood donation: Particularly during the summer months, there is often a decrease in blood donations due to vacations. Therefore, blood donation services are increasingly reliant on the support of the population.
"By donating blood, you can save the life of a seriously ill or injured person. Only through the selfless act of blood donation can the medical treatment of chronically ill and severely injured patients be ensured," said Gerlach, according to a statement.
Appointments were cancelled due to the flood disaster and the European Football Championship
In Bavaria, an average of 2,000 blood units are needed daily, said Gerlach. There has not been a shortage yet. "But it's important that people help early and donate blood." With one blood donation, you can help up to three sick or injured people.
The Blood Donation Service of the Bavarian Red Cross (BSD) has already faced challenges in recent months. Business manager Georg Goetz said, according to a statement: "Cancelled appointments due to the flood disaster, many holidays and bridge days in May, and recently the European Football Championship with high temperatures and perfect weather caused the willingness to donate to decrease noticeably." Therefore, it is all the more important that blood donation appointments in the coming weeks are well attended.
Despite the cancellations due to the flood disaster and the European Football Championship, Bavaria's daily requirement of around 2,000 blood units hasn't been compromised yet. However, with the decreased willingness to donate caused by these events and the summer vacation, it's crucial for people to donate early to prevent any potential shortages of blood, potentially saving the lives of three seriously ill or injured individuals through each donation. [The disease] could exacerbate this situation if individuals with the disease require blood transfusions.
