Latvia Observed the Highest Blood Donor Activity in 13 Years 0 8

A total of 63,707 units of whole blood were donated across Latvia, which is 1,375 more than the previous year. The total number of donors last year increased to 36,026 people, while in 2024, 35,000 people donated blood.

The increase in donor activity occurred simultaneously with a rise in demand for blood from medical institutions. There was a significant increase in demand for Rh-negative blood type - by 9%. This blood type is universal and relatively rare, so donors of type O- are always especially welcomed, noted the donor center.

More than half of all blood donations were made during mobile campaigns. Last year, the State Blood Donor Center conducted 813 mobile events, including 263 on a specialized bus. Thanks to these mobile campaigns, the center can supply the necessary blood reserves to all of Latvia. Overall, last year, 52.13% of donors donated blood during mobile campaigns.

The average age of donors last year was 39 years, with 52.5% being women and 47.5% being men.

19,339 people donated blood once, 8,946 twice, and 5,122 three times. 2,018 people donated blood four times, 568 five times, and 33 six times, according to the donor center's data.

The center reminds that donating blood is a quick and safe procedure that helps maintain healthy circulation, and donor blood can be crucial in saving a person's life.

Currently, the center accepts donors of all blood types, especially types O- and A-.

The State Blood Donor Center offers regular blood donation at several donor points across Latvia. In Riga, donors are accepted at Selpils Street, 9, at the "Gaiļezers" hospital on Hippocrates Street, 2, and at the "Sakta" center on Brivibas Boulevard, 32.

There are also permanent donor points at the Daugavpils Regional Hospital, the Kurzeme branch in Liepaja, the Jelgava City Hospital, the Vidzeme Hospital in Valmiera, and the Latgale branch in Rezekne.

In addition, the State Blood Donor Center organizes mobile campaigns weekly.