Red Cross Flanders is calling for blood donations amid "severe pressure” on blood supplies. Almost all blood types are at low levels, but the supplies of O negative and B negative are particularly worrying, according to the Red Cross.
“The fact that O negative is also at such low levels is not a good thing. After all, it is the universal donor: every patient can receive blood from donors with O negative,” says Philippe Vandekerckhove, Managing Director of Red Cross Flanders.
It is an annual phenomenon: during the summer months, blood supplies experience a ‘summer dip’. The number of donors drops by 10 to 15 percent each year. This is, of course, partly due to the fact that potential donors are on vacation and postpone blood donations. Additionally, some donors are temporarily excluded from donation after traveling to certain destinations.
Red Cross Flanders is urgently looking for extra donors to donate blood in the coming days.
“Every patient can receive blood from donors with O negative; their blood is therefore extra valuable. Anyone with O negative or B negative can really make a big difference right now,” says Vandekerckhove.
Donors for other target groups are also very welcome. “After all, every blood donation helps to replenish the supply and provide patients with the care they need,” he added.
Those wishing to donate blood can go to various locations: one of the 16 donor centres or one of the numerous local blood drives, which continue as usual during the summer holidays.
