The Health Department of l’Alfàs del Pi, together with the Alicante Transfusion Center, has issued a call to the public to participate in a new blood and plasma donor recruitment campaign. The event will take place tomorrow, Thursday, October 1st, at the Health Center, from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
The Alicante Transfusion Center periodically travels to the l’Alfàs Health Center to conduct these campaigns, aiming to meet the existing needs throughout the province. The Councilor for Health, Marisa Cortés, emphasized the importance of donation and made a special appeal to the younger population and those who have never donated before. Blood is an essential resource, necessary for treating multiple pathologies and interventions such as surgeries, childbirths, transplants, and treatments for onco-hematological patients.
In general, most of the population meets the requirements to become a donor. The basic criteria are: being between 18 and 65 years old, weighing over 50 kilograms, being in good health, and not donating on an empty stomach. Men can donate four times a year and women three times, with at least two months between donations. After donating, normal activities can be resumed, although strenuous physical exertion should be avoided.
Blood and its components are essential for numerous diseases. Plasma is crucial in treating severe burns and transplants, and its derivatives are used to treat hemorrhages, hemophilia, and autoimmune diseases. Red blood cells are necessary for accidents and surgeries, while platelets help stop bleeding and are used in oncological treatments. It is estimated that a single donation can save three lives.
Blood donation is a matter of significant health and social interest, as anyone may need blood at some point, and ensuring its availability is a community responsibility.
