Credit: Luxembourg Red Cross
On Tuesday 19 November 2024, the Luxembourg Red Cross launched an appeal for people to donate blood.
The humanitarian organisation noted that there is currently only enough blood in stock to cover one week of Luxembourg hospitals’ requirements.
Due to the recent school holidays and an increase in respiratory infections, regular donors were unable to donate blood. This has resulted in a sharp decline in the blood stocks available to Luxembourg hospitals. The stocks, already low for the past few months, are now below the minimum level required to ensure an adequate supply until the end of the year. The Luxembourg Red Cross is calling on those who can come and donate to do so in the coming days. The aim is to allow a return to a normal stock of around fifteen days of demand, or around 800 bags, as quickly as possible.
Blood donations can be made at the Blood Transfusion Centre in Luxembourg-Ville (42 Boulevard Joseph II) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 08:00 until 16:00 and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 08:00 until 18:00. There is free parking at the Luxembourg Red Cross headquarters (44 Boulevard Joseph II).
The Esch-Belval medical centre (3-5 Avenue du Swing) is also open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 08:00 until 16:00, with free underground parking for two hours at the Belval Plaza shopping centre. A list of other external blood donor points is available on the blood donation website. Blood donor points are closed on public holidays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Anne Schuhmacher, Director of the Blood Transfusion Centre, warned: "Our blood stocks have been on a ridge line for several months. For a few days now, they have clearly been too low and would not allow us to deal with an emergency situation. In addition, December is often a bad month for blood donations… while demand from the healthcare system does not decrease in the same proportions. The sick and injured continue to need support, even – or even especially – during the holiday season. This is why we are calling on everyone who wants to and can to come and donate today."
Those wishing to donate blood are advised to make an appointment in advance at: https://dondusang.lu/en/ or via tel.: 275-54000.
Potential donors can, however, attend without an appointment at the Blood Transfusion Centre in Luxembourg City. Those who are not sure whether they can donate can take a pre-test online to check their eligibility: https://dondusang.lu/nos-questionnaires/.
