Cristina Del Castillo, general nurse of the Association of Blood Donors of Navarra (Adona), explains that during the summer the amount is reduced. However, when performing fewer interventions and treatments, they consume less blood: “People move more, they move the village festivities and leave the routine, but with the beginning of the course they are returning to the routine.” Nevertheless, they are satisfied because they are getting similar results last year.

2022.urtean 27,000 donations were received, of which some 23,700 donations were accepted. In addition, 12 per cent of donations were new donors. In addition to the fact that the donation is “good”, Del Castillo has stressed that the commitment of blood donors is “high”, but considers that they should put their weight on the generational relay: “Today’s young people, as they move more, the important thing is to get used to donating blood anywhere.” He adds that all blood types are important: “Some take it off because it’s A+ and say everyone has it, but it’s what we spend the most every day.” Therefore, it invites citizens to donate blood. Although all blood types are well received, sometimes they need to receive one type or another. Thus, on September 13, social media broadened the need to receive blood types B+ and B, as well as bone marrow donations.

Blood donation by apheresis

People with menstruation can donate three times a year and people without menstruation four a year. However, it may be done once a month by blood donation for apheresis. With this technique blood is drawn through the machines, the components are separated, the necessary ones are taken and the rest are returned to the donor. Del Castillo sets an example to better understand: “Suppose we need platelets. To create a platelet with a normal blood donation, we need five donations, one for apheresis.” Adona's goal is for 20% of blood donors to be apheresis, allowing treatment for people with autoimmune diseases or clotting disorders.