The theme of this year’s international day--which falls on 14 June each year and is spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO)--was “Give blood and keep the world beating”. 

According to WHO, such a slogan “reinforces the global call for more people all over the world to donate blood regularly and contribute to better health,” something which the authority adds was all the more pronounced given the covid-19 pandemic. A special emphasis in this year’s campaign was on young people to ensure the continuing supply of donations. 

Since February, there has been a 20% increase in orders by hospitals in the grand duchy, in part due to surgeries which had to be postponed as a result of the pandemic, according to Red Cross Luxembourg. 

Although the non-profit did not have figures for yesterday’s drive, a Red Cross Luxembourg spokesperson told Delano that in 2020, there were some 13,726 donors, around 93% of whom were whole blood donors, the rest having donated plasma and/or platelets. Last year the organisation saw 3,647 volunteers apply to be enrolled for blood donations, 64% of whom applied during 20 March through 31 May, at the start of the confinement measures in Luxembourg. 

To see the full agenda of the current blood drive, click here. To enquire about general eligibility or to schedule an appointment to donate, visit dondusang.lu