Give Someone a Christmas Miracle – Donate Blood!

Due ot the pandemic, the State Blood Donor Centre (SBDC) will not be organising a blood drive to Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) for the second year in a row. Instead, the university is urging everyone to donate blood themselves, by visiting the SBDC clinic on 9 Sēlpils iela or at other blood donation sites. In order to help doctors save the lives of critically ill patients, SBDC will organise 50 blood drives in December and people to become blood donors!

One donor can save up to three lives by donating their blood. As December is the month of good deeds, it’s just the right time to donate for the first time or to schedule a repeat visit.

All blood groups are currently welcome to donate, especially the following: O-, A+, A- and B-. 

Considering the fact that each blood component has its own lifespan (thrombocytes are viable for five days, erythrocyte mass for 35 days) donors are very welcome to come any day of the week.

‘Anyone who feels healthy can now help Latvian doctors help critically ill patients by donating blood. It is important to remember that serious accidents and injuries still happen, regardless of the pandemic. Donors are also needed for treating COVID-19 patients,’ says Egita Pole, SBDC Director.

Feeling healthy and having a desire to do good are the main criteria for donating blood. After registering, the potential donor must fill out a small questionnaire, followed by a conversation with a doctor they will measure the donor’s temperature and blood pressure, and do a hemoglobin test. If all indicators are good, the donor is invited donate, which takes about 30 minutes.

In order to donate blood, you must bring a valid identity document (passport or ID card) or any other identity document containing the following information:

• ID number,
• name,
• surname,
• photo.

‘We have strict epidemiological restrictions in place for the safety of both donors and staff at all donation sites. If you are healthy, both people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 as well as unvaccinated people can donate blood,’ says Pole.

Women are allowed to donate blood four times a year, while men are allowed to donate five or six times a year. Donors should take a nine-week break between donations to allow the erythrocytes to fully recover.

Further information