Only one of four appointments in Goxel could take place in February. “Then the pandemic came and the premises on site became too small,” said Heiko Steckel. To date, no blood donation can be carried out there. Much shifted to Coesfeld, but things did not go quite smoothly there in March either. “The first Thursday after the lockdown was a bit chaotic. We had to reschedule everything within 48 hours. ”The previous helpers over 60 and under 18 were no longer allowed to help, the cafeteria with buffet was no longer allowed. “We then switched to packed lunches, which we packed hygienically,” says Heiko Steckel. Less staff was required for this, so the failure was easier to cope with. “However, some of the donors had to accept very long waiting times, and stood in line outside for up to two hours in the cold. Everyone deserves the greatest respect for this, ”he says, thanking him.
In April the school center became a blood donation center for a short time. “This was also used by smaller local associations from the surrounding communities. The donors who would have been invited anyway were invited to the respective appointments and were looked after by the relevant local associations. ”One month later, everything took place at the usual place. “The blood donation service then introduced the online allocation of appointments so that donors no longer had to wait long in the individual locations. It worked really well for us in Coesfeld and it relaxed a lot, ”says Heiko Steckel happily. “We were able to plan better and the feedback from the donors was positive too.” A system that will continue to be used in the future – across Germany. “Ideally, everyone will have their appointment in the future and know when it is their turn. Of course, it can also be done at short notice, but then longer waiting times must be expected. ”
Of the 1,595 donors, 1,492 were “repeat offenders” and 103 were first-time donors. In addition, there was a blood donation appointment at the Pictorius vocational college in January. “The two vocational schools have been organizing this on their own for a number of years in order to attract first-time donors. That worked out fine. 44 of 79 donors were there for the first time. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, no further appointments could take place, but that is really a really great thing. ”Because donors are still desperately wanted.
Heiko Steckel remembered another story: “We received 25 vouchers for a breakfast buffet from a Coesfeld man whose wife was seriously ill and needed a lot of blood. Together with a Coesfeld landlord, he then donated the vouchers that we passed on to first-time donors. A very spontaneous initiative that we were really happy about. ”
Appointments can be reserved via QR code or online at | terminreservierung.blutspendedienst-west.de
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