“Blood is the most important medication in emergencies”

A small prick and it’s all over in five to eight minutes – “and in the end we have a blood unit that can save someone’s life”, says Josef Gabriel from the blood center in Linz. The 57-year-old has been taking blood from voluntary donors for 20 years.

The willingness to donate in Upper Austria is generally good. About 40,000 people would fill around 55,000 blood units annually. In rural and small communities in particular, people often turn up to donate blood several times a year. “Fire brigade or rural youth can mobilize many people there in a short time”says Gabriel.

Gabriel would like blood donations to be done with a routine similar to the annual visit to the dentist. “Stored blood is always the number one emergency medication.”

Uncomplicated preventive care

There would be enough blood for daily needs in Upper Austria. According to Walter Aichinger, President of Upper Austria. Red Cross, people with blood group 0 negative and B negative would be particularly in demand for a donation. “0 negative is suitable for every blood group in primary care, B negative is one of the rarest blood groups in Austria”reports Aichinger.

A blood donation does not only benefit the recipient. “The blood test is a preventive examination”, says Aichinger. They provide information about liver and blood fat values. And serious illnesses can also be detected: According to Aichinger, three to four cases of leukemia are detected early each year, “what can make the difference between life and death in this disease”.

Blood donations in Linz

According to Aichinger, donations can be made at the blood centers in Upper Austria and at blood donation campaigns that are organized regularly.

One of them still takes place today in the OÖN Forum in the Promenaden Galerien in Linz. LH deputy and health officer Christine Haberlander (VP) was among the donors yesterday.

The blood drive in the Promenade Galleries is still held today by 9.30 a.m. to 3 p.m instead of.