There are serious shortages in blood donation stations – the most serious situation is in Krakow, Opole, Lublin and Radom, hence the appeals to donate blood. This can be done by people from 18 to 65 years of age, who weigh at least 50 kilograms. Donating blood is completely safe. Blood buses have been placed in many cities – you can report to them or to blood donation stations.
If someone went for a walk to the Krakow Aviation Museum on August 25, they saw not only planes but also a bus. And they could do something good.
– I always wanted to donate blood, I never knew if I could. When I saw the blood van, I decided that this was the moment – says Mr. Michał, a blood donor from Krakow.
Blood buses, or mobile blood donation stations, appeared in many places in Poland on August 25, including Szczecin.
– We are quite far from the blood donation centre, so this is a convenience for the residents. Such a bus arrival at our estate supports the entire blood donation campaign – admits Jakub Kujath from the Załom-Kasztanowe Estate Council in Szczecin.
– Half a year ago, my friend fell very ill. Blood saved her life – says Mrs. Urszula, a blood donor from Szczecin. Blood is always needed in any quantity, and the holidays are a time when warehouses are particularly empty.
In almost the entire country, blood supplies are at best modest.
– This week we have exceptionally large blood releases to healthcare entities. For example, on Monday we released over 431 units of blood, with a normal release of around 230 units per day – says Jacek Blicharski, director of the Regional Blood Donation and Blood Treatment Center in Wrocław.
Blood supplies are at best meager in most of the country. In addition, the increased demand for blood coincides with fewer donors, who, for example, go on vacation.
Blood banks appeal. Demand for blood increases during the holidays, but there is a shortage of donorsKatarzyna Czupryńska-Chabros/Fakty po Południe TVN24
In Zakopane – with the high tourist traffic – the demand for blood is also growing in the local hospital, where many tourists injured in the mountains are taken.
– We have an emergency department and a surgery department in our structures. A patient comes in who needs a lot of blood units. At that moment we have to organize this blood and quite often it happens that we don't get as much as we need because there is a problem during the holidays – says Paweł Mickowski from the medical rescue team at the hospital in Zakopane.
In addition, rescuers from Podhale sometimes have to travel over 100 kilometers to get blood. – The blood donation center where we collect blood on an emergency basis is located in Krakow, so there is also the logistics of transporting blood through the congested Zakopianka – points out Paweł Mickowski.
The most valuable medicine in the world
Blood of every type is needed, but 0 minus is especially valuable, as it can be given to any patient. This is especially important in a life-saving situation.
Blood is said to be the most valuable medicine in the world. A medicine that cannot be manufactured.
– We know that there is a shortage of this blood throughout the country, so we appeal to everyone that if possible, please donate blood at designated points and places – says Łukasz Pach, director of the emergency medical service in Katowice.
You can start donating blood at any time. – Last year in May I mobilized myself and donated blood and since then I have been trying to donate quite regularly – says Mr. Łukasz, a blood donor from Krakow.
Mr. Łukasz has donated blood several times since then and today he encourages others to do the same. – You can help someone. Secondly, for such an act, such activity we get two days off from work and here we can't kid ourselves, it is also a big reason to go to the blood donation center – lists Mr. Łukasz.
What conditions must a blood donor meet?
Anyone who meets several conditions can help. – Anyone who wants to help, is 18 years old, weighs no less than 50 kilograms and is healthy – informs Jacek Blicharski.
On the day of donation, you should eat a light meal and drink plenty of fluids. – I've been donating for 20 years. I happened to have a day off, I came to my parents' and took advantage of the opportunity – says Mr. Marcin, a blood donor from Szczecin.
Additionally – and this is another benefit for the donor – blood and medical tests are performed with each donation.
450 milliliters of blood are taken at a time. Even this amount can save several people. The procedure itself is painless, completely safe and lasts only a few minutes, which for someone can be the weight of life.
Main image source: TVN24