Blood Donation Shortfall Threatens Emergency Preparedness
A critical decline in blood donations within Stockholm County is raising alarms regarding the region’s ability to handle major crises. Authorities are urging more young men to register as donors to help replenish the dwindling supply.
Urgent Need for Blood Donors
Tomorrow, June 14th, marks International Blood Donor Day, yet statistics reveal a concerning drop in blood donations. The focus now is to encourage more individuals to donate blood regularly, with even an annual donation making a significant impact.
During the school shooting in Örebro and the 2017 Drottninggatan terrorist attack, numerous individuals expressed a desire to donate. However, first-time donors must undergo preliminary testing, requiring a reliable base of existing donors.
Pandemic’s Impact and Demographic Challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly decreased blood donations, and figures have yet to recover. The National Board of Health and Welfare indicates that Sweden requires twice as many active blood donors to meet needs.
Stockholm County has the lowest percentage of active donors within the 18-64 age group, with only 2.2 percent participating, compared to 4.3 percent in Västerbotten. This statistic may be misleading, since Stockholm has no upper age limit for donors.
Young people are underrepresented among blood donors, often due to factors like lower blood volume and menstruation in young women.
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“Many also have a lifestyle, with travel, change of sex partners, tattoos and beauty interventions that penetrate the skin, which makes them have to wait. The blood must always be safe for those who receive blood, therefore there are rules for everything that can pose a risk of blood contamination,”
—Cilla Jutell, Communications Manager at the Stockholm Blood Center
Currently, the National Board of Health and Welfare is focusing on recruiting more young men. A recent study shows that blood transfusions are up 10% nationwide, signaling an even greater need for donors (Blood Donation Stats).
Practical Considerations and Donation Information
Women are ineligible to donate blood while pregnant and shortly after childbirth, a restriction that does not apply to men.
In Stockholm’s healthcare system, approximately 100 liters of blood are used daily. The majority of the blood supply, around 45 percent, supports patients with cancer and chronic illnesses.
About 10 percent of the blood supply is utilized in intensive care units. More information can be found at Geblod.nu.
