Only one in thirty donates blood regularly

200 blood units are needed per day in Upper Austria’s hospitals – this equates to around 80 to 100 liters of blood that are used for emergencies every day. A sharp decline in donors is particularly noticeable before the summer holiday season, says Susanne Süßner, head of the Linz blood center. “That’s why we have set ourselves the goal of securing 15,000 blood units for the summer months in order to get through the holiday season. The problem is that the blood units only last for 42 days, so only six weeks.” On the occasion of today’s World Blood Donor Day, the expert answers questions that arise before donating blood.

Who can donate blood in Austria and what requirements do you need to do so?
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 70 is a potential blood donor. Before the donation itself, you should eat and drink enough to avoid putting a strain on your circulatory system. “You have to remember: 465 milliliters of blood will be taken from your body. The body has to be prepared for this,” says Süßner.

How does blood donation work?
650 blood donation campaigns take place in Upper Austria throughout the year. Donors are registered with an official photo ID and are also given a health questionnaire. “Donors should definitely feel healthy and fit; blood will not be taken if they have a cold,” says the head of the Linz blood center.

How many times in a row can you donate blood?
After blood has been donated, there must be a gap of at least eight weeks before the next blood collection. With each blood donation, the body loses iron, which must first be rebuilt. Women can donate blood four to five times a year, men up to six times.

When should blood not be donated?
Particularly in the summer months, attention is paid to where the vacation was spent: If you are traveling to the tropics, for example, you will be asked more thoroughly due to the risk of malaria. Even after a tick bite, it is advisable to wait eight weeks before donating blood, says Süßner.

How many people donate blood each year and which blood group is urgently needed?
Basically, only one in thirty people in Austria donates blood regularly. In rural areas, only three to eight percent of those who are eligible to donate blood. In urban areas, the willingness to donate is even lower. The most common blood group in Austria is A, blood group 0 negative is considered a universal donor – it can also be used to supply all other blood groups. AB, on the other hand, is the blood group that occurs least frequently and is therefore most urgently needed. According to Süßner, it is becoming increasingly difficult to motivate donors.