Red Cross campaign doubled number of blood donors

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The shortage of blood that was declared earlier this week is almost over, as a campaign launched by the Finnish Red Cross has persuaded people to come forward and donate blood across the country.
      On Tuesday alone, a total of 2,134 people gave blood, which is more than double the regular amount. On Wednesday, the number of donors was still in excess of 1,600.
     
"The most important thing is to keep the blood supplies regular", says Ari Hemminki, who is responsible for blood donations at the Finnish Red Cross. On Thursday, the normal donation rate of some 1,100 bags of blood would be sufficient.
      Early this week the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service discovered a shortage in their stocks of blood, particularly of the red cells of groups A+ and O+. The consumption of blood has increased after the Health Care Guarantee entered in force in Finland, urging the hospitals to shorten their operation queues.
     
Simultaneously, the autumn influenza wave has been cutting down on the number of blood donors. In order to qualify as a blood donor, a person has to have been in good health for two weeks.
      Another restriction on blood donation is an overly low level of haemoglobin. For example, the donation interval for women was extended from the previous 60 days to 90 days, or three months, from the beginning of 2006.
      Furthermore, a six-month deferral of blood donation has been ordered for everyone who has travelled to areas with disease epidemics, including malaria.
     
An unexpected shortage of blood occurs at the Blood Service a couple of times a year.
      The supply and demand of blood should be in balance, as for example the red blood cells are good only for 35 days. On the other hand, the platelets or thrombocytes needed by leukaemia patients can be preserved only for five days.


Links:
  The Finnish Red Cross

Helsingin Sanomat