German Red Cross Warns of Critical Blood Shortages During Holiday Season

The organization urges citizens to donate blood as hospitals face increasing challenges in meeting demand for life-saving transfusions.

The German Red Cross (DRK) has highlighted an urgent need for blood donations, particularly during the Advent season and over the year-end holidays.
Daily demand for blood donations in Germany is approximately 15,000 units, with cancer patients being the largest group of recipients.
Holiday travel and festive preparations often lead to a decline in donations, creating shortages in critical blood types needed for emergencies and ongoing medical treatments.
Special blood donation drives are being organized in regions like Saxony and Berlin to address anticipated supply gaps over Christmas and New Year.
The DRK emphasizes the simplicity of donating blood, noting that the process takes about an hour and can save lives, especially for patients with severe illnesses or injuries.