As this substance cannot yet be produced artificially, every donation is important, as one blood donation can help up to three patients by dividing it into blood plasma, platelets and red blood cells. At the same time, stocks are always in short supply because blood products only have a limited shelf life, with red blood cells only lasting around 42 days. In order to ensure a sufficient supply, a continuous willingness to donate is required.
The reality behind the blood reserves
Despite the high demand, only around 3.3% of the eligible population donate blood regularly. In 2024, around 211,559 people in Austria donated blood, with a total of 331,312 units being collected. The challenge is particularly evident in Upper Austria: around 56,000 units are needed each year, but only around 53,000 were actually collected last year. Every additional donation therefore makes a direct contribution to closing supply gaps and helping seriously ill or injured people.
A team shows heart
Some employees of OÖ Versicherung also realised this importance. Together, they made their way to the Upper Austrian Red Cross to donate blood. Word of the positive experience quickly spread within the company, so that the employees of Oberösterreichische are currently planning not only to repeat this campaign next year, but also to expand it. We think that's #schongenial.
