Overview

• Germany requires about 15,000 blood donations daily, with Bavaria alone needing some 2,000 units each day.
• The average donor age of 48 highlights the shortfall as the Baby Boomer cohort progressively retires from donation.
• Federal Health Minister Nina Warken and Bavarian Health Minister Judith Gerlach have appealed to younger citizens to donate blood as reserves fall short in summer months.
• Healthy individuals over 18 who weigh at least 50 kilograms can donate up to six times a year for men and four times for women.
• Regular donors benefit from free health screenings and studies from Charité Berlin indicate potential cardiovascular improvements from frequent donations.