Who can donate blood? How many blood donors are there in Luxembourg? And why, despite donations, do we still have shortages? RTL colleague Annick Goerens visited a blood donation centre in Limpertsberg.
Ideally, the Red Cross requires 100 to 120 blood donations a day throughout the country. In practice, this is not always the case, as there are regular periods where stocks drop really low, especially in spring. Dr. Andrée Heinricy explains why:
“Winter is coming to an end so slowly now. There were many people who were now sick because of this time of year. Even small colds are enough to prevent blood donation for a long time.”
“Now the holidays are coming. When one holiday ends, the next holiday begins. This takes time from people with other preoccupations. When the weather gets nicer, people tend to be more interested in other activities and may donate less blood.”
There are about 15,000 blood donors in Luxembourg, but only 10,000 people donate (which means at least once). Men donate slightly more than women, but are also able to donate more frequently.
In terms of age, the age group between 30-50 is the most represented, but people between 18-30 also make up one fifth of the blood donors, Dr. Heinricy explains.
To donate blood for the first time, you must be between 18 and 60 years old and weigh at least 50 kilograms.
Blood donors should drink and eat something prior to donating blood, a process which takes no more than an hour.
“First we do an analysis to see how many red blood cells there are. People also fill out a questionnaire each time. Then there is an interview with a nurse or a doctor to see if someone is really eligible to donate blood that day.”
Then 475 millilitres of blood are then taken. This takes between 5-10 minutes. After the procedure, patients must remain seated for 20 minutes to rest.
This one hour of time can save a life, says the doctor. Blood donations are always needed.
Men can donate every three months, women every four months. Plasma donations can be done every month for both men and women.
Read more: Donating blood as a gay man in Luxembourg
Blood can be donated at the transfusion centre in Limpertsberg, as well as twice a week in Esch and once per week in Ettelbrück.
Additionally, a mobile team also travels to Wiltz, Clervaux, Echternach, Colpach and Grevenmacher.
