More than 20,000 new blood donors are needed this year – helping others is easy
In the first half of 2024, a total of 68,406 people signed up for blood donation, which resulted in more than 85,000 donations. By the end of June, 8,761 new blood donors had donated blood. This year, the aim is to gain more than 20,000 new donors So we are behind on our goal.
“It is important to have the widest and most diverse blood donor population possible to ensure that patients receive help in all circumstances. Thank you to everyone who has lent a helping hand,” says Johanna Castrén, Director of Blood Donation Operations.
We are constantly in need of new blood donors as each month, some regular donors have to stop donating due to their age or medical conditions. Donors may also need to take long breaks due to various situations in their lives.
Anyone can help to achieve this goal for new donors:
- If you are already a blood donor, the next time you go to donate, ask a family member, friend, neighbour or co-worker, who hasn’t donated before, to join you. They may feel nervous about donating blood for the first time, and going with a regular donor can help to reassure them.
- If you haven’t previously donated blood, take a quick online test to see if you are eligible to donate: sovinkoluovuttajaksi.fi
- Even if you cannot donate blood yourself, anyone can share information and encourage others to donate!
Most Finns of blood donation age could try blood donation. You can donate blood for the first time if you are aged between 18 and 59. For example, medicines for blood pressure or cholesterol do not prevent blood donation, but donors must not have any serious medical conditions.
“Currently, only about 3% of Finns within the donor age range donate blood. It would be very important for this number to increase, so that we could be ready and prepared. Donating blood even once a year is a big help and allows us to expand the group of people required to maintain our blood service,” says Castrén.
We continuously organise blood donation events throughout Finland. The nearest donation site, planned mobile events or schedules for the blood-donation bus can be found on the Blood Service website at www.veripalvelu.fi/en/book-an-appointment.
