Throughout Latvia, full blood has been donated 59,912 times, which is 2,262 times more than a year ago. The total number of donors has also increased significantly – from 32,741 in 2022 to 34,185 last year.
"We are very pleased that for the 12th consecutive year, our circle of' blood friends' is growing. People respond to calls from both us and hospitals to save the lives of fellow humans and are inspired by each other. This is a clear acknowledgment that our society is responsive and always willing to help each other," said Egita Pole, director of VADC.
To provide the necessary blood components, VADC is also trying to move closer to donors. It has gone on 785 tours in 2023. On these trips, VADC has collected nearly half of all blood doses.
In 2023, most blood was donated to the Rīga branch at Sēlpils Street 9, but responsive donors were also seen at the Latgale branch in Rēzekne and the Kurzeme branch in Liepāja. Most donated blood once per year, however, 27 donors donated blood especially regularly – 6 times per year, which is the maximum number of donations per year for men (5 times per year for women).
VADC is calling for young people to join the blood donation movement too, reminding them that donating blood is fast, painless, and good for the donor's health as it restores the blood production system. But above all, without blood donation, it is impossible to save lives for people in distress.
The average donor age is 38.
