State Blood Donor Centre encourages young people to donate blood
This week, the State Blood Donor Centre (SBDC) is launching the “Fill the Flag” campaign, encouraging people, especially young people, to donate blood. In Latvia, as in other European countries, the population is aging, and the average age of active blood donors is increasing rapidly. To prevent a shortage of donated blood, it is necessary to attract new donors, particularly young people aged 18 to 25.
As part of the campaign, a special flag has been created to visually represent the fact that only 41% of Latvia's population has ever donated blood. This flag, featuring well-known Latvian public figures, calls on people, especially young individuals, to become blood donors and donate regularly to help those in need.
‘Blood transfusions are essential for saving lives, as science has yet to develop a substitute for blood. Every day, an average of 140 units of red blood cells are issued in Latvia. This means that every patient undergoing treatment in Latvian hospitals or requiring surgery is dependent on the activity and responsiveness of blood donors. As society ages, the pool of potential blood donors decreases. Over the past three years, the average age of blood donors has increased by three years, making it crucial to engage young people in blood donation.
It is also important to note that
those who start donating blood during their student years tend to continue donating regularly or occasionally throughout their lives,’
explains SBDC Director Egita Pole.
She points out that young people are sometimes motivated to donate blood by tragic events, such as when a relative, friend, or acquaintance experiences an accident or medical emergency. ‘For young people, it is a unique opportunity to reflect and take the first step toward saving lives. By donating blood, we can save lives—possibly even those of our loved ones,’ says Egita Pole.
Attracting young people to blood donation can be challenging, as they are often overwhelmed by a flood of information, making it harder to capture their attention. The most common reasons why young people do not donate blood include a lack of knowledge about the donation process, as well as a lack of personal experience or awareness of the significance of blood donation. Additionally, fear of the donation process itself, needles, or concerns about the suitability of their blood may discourage young people from donating for the first time. To take that first step, they often need encouragement. At the same time, many young people are not sufficiently healthy to become blood donors due to low hemoglobin levels, the use of specific medications, or other lifestyle-related factors such as frequent travel, tattoos, or cosmetic procedures.
According to SBDC statistics, around 20,000 people donate blood in Latvia each year, with the total number of registered donors reaching approximately 40,000. In 2023, 52.8% of donors were women and 47.2% were men. That year, 21% of all donors were aged 18 to 25, while 50% were aged 18 to 35. The average age of blood donors in Latvia is rising: in 2021, it was 35.7 years, in 2022, it increased to 37.43 years, and in 2023, it reached 38 years. The average age of first-time donors has also increased from 30.26 years in 2021 to 32.59 years in 2023.
To donate blood, the most important factors are good health and the willingness to help others.
After registering, potential donors fill out a short questionnaire, followed by a consultation with a doctor, temperature and blood pressure measurements, and a hemoglobin level test. If all indicators meet the necessary requirements, the donor proceeds with the blood donation, which takes approximately 20 minutes.
To donate blood, a valid form of identification is required, such as a passport, national ID card (eID), or any other document that includes the individual's ID number, name, surname, and photo.
