The average daily blood donations in the Canary Islands continues to be 220, but it is necessary to reach 300 to guarantee an optimal level of stocks. Nevertheless, the data allows the Archipelago to be self-sufficient without having to depend on the Peninsula. «We want to thank the solidarity of all the people who donate blood in the Islands. A single extraction can save the lives of up to three adult patients or five children,” he says. Elsa Brito, Head of Communication, Marketing and Promotion of the Canary Institute of Hemodonation and Hemotherapy (ICHH)on the occasion of the commemoration of the World Blood Donor Daywhich is celebrated this Wednesday.
According to the figures handled by the body attached to the Health Department of the regional Executive, the region closed 2022 with 65,942 blood donations, of which 35,024 corresponded to the province of Las Palmas and 30,918 to that of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The total count translates into 612 less than in 2021, which ended with 66,554 –36,006 in Las Palmas and 30,548 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife–. the year 2020on the other hand, when the coronavirus pandemic broke out, ffinished with 63,004 –34,567 in Las Palmas and 28,437 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife–. “Right now we are a little below the data for the first half of last year. It must be remembered that the first quarter of 2021 was very hard due to the large volume of covid infections, but fortunately we managed to recover, “says Brito.
However, The challenge that the institution sets for the second half of the year is focused on reaching 300 daily donations on the greatest possible number of days a week. “Last Thursday we did it, for example, but it is not something that happens often. Undoubtedly, this is very important in order not to suffer periods of crisis and to be able to respond to the demands of hospitals », she emphasizes.
With the purpose of paying tribute to the people who carry out this altruistic act, on June 2 the ICHH organized an event in the municipality of Güimar –in Tenerife– for the World Blood Donor Day. In Gran Canaria, the action will take place on June 25 in San Mateo. «In 2024, the events will take place in Los Llanos de Aridane and in Santa Lucía de Tirajana. “Every year we celebrate them in two different municipalities and our goal is for both Canary provinces to be represented,” explains the professional, who also reports that the summer campaign will be presented this Wednesday. “It will be promoted above all on social networks. In addition, we will label the Global and Titsa buses, as well as the Sagulpa bicycles, and we will have radio spots and a spots television,” he advances.
less activity
From the ICHH they remember that during the summer period the number of donations decreases. For this reason, the mobile units of the institution try to be present in those areas where more people tend to be concentrated. «The same happens at Carnivals, Christmas, Easter and after any bridge. We must not forget that we need blood all year round and that this emergency does not go on vacation », he remarks.
It should be noted that when donating blood you get three products: red blood cells or erythrocytes, plasma and platelets. The life of the first barely lasts 45 dayswhile plasma can be kept for up to two years. The platelets, instead, they expire seven days after being extracted. «The institute has two headquarters and each one distributes to its province. However, if one of the two requires blood from a certain group and it is not available, we act as a common bank and it is transported to where it is needed”, details Elsa Brito.
People from 32 to 47 years old, the majority profile
Until the end of 2022 there were 45,690 people enrolled in the Canary Islands Institute of Hemodonation and Hemotherapy (ICHH)of which 25,859 are men and 19,831 women. Nevertheless, the majority profile of donors in the Islands is made up of the population between 32 and 47 years of age. “We canaries respond very well to emergency situations, but we lack perseverance,” says Elsa Brito, head of Communication, Marketing and Promotion of the aforementioned organization, who does not hesitate to highlight how complicated it is to reach the 300 daily donations. “We live in a very fragmented territory and that complicates the logistics of the collections a lot. However, we must not forget that women can donate three times a year and men four », she points out. However, in order to carry out this altruistic act, it is necessary to be between 18 and 65 years old, weigh more than 50 kilos, be in good health and, in the case of women, not be pregnant. |YM
