Blood donations in Ulm: How we save lives - a look behind the scenes!

Blood donations in Ulm: How we save lives - a look behind the scenes!

Ulm, Deutschland - On June 14, 2025, the focus is on the World Blood Donation Day, a day that should not only raise awareness of the importance of blood donation, but also grants a look behind the scenes of the blood donation service. In Ulm, for example, at least 1,600 blood conserves are produced every day, which are essential for many people. These donations are mainly collected by citizens in Baden-Württemberg and Hesse and then transported to the Institute for Transfusion Medicine (ICT). There are extensive studies to ensure the security of the blood donations, reports SWR .

The processing of the blood donations is an intensive process that must be completed within 24 hours. Each donation is first recorded individually and thoroughly examined for diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. The separation of the donations into their essential components applies to special mindfulness: red blood cells, blood plates and plasma. Thanks to the latest technology, including a centrifuge, the blood is thrown with up to 3,500 revolutions per minute, which means that the individual components can be separated. The entire process takes place under strict regulations, such as The blood donation service explains.

The meaning of the blood donation

A look at the ICT shelves in Ulm shows how important the continuous renewal of blood stocks is. These products are sorted by blood groups and are available for over 130 medical facilities all over Germany. In fact, the demand for blood donations remains high during the summer months, and Kristina Hölig, President of the German Society for Transfusion Medicine, has an impressive appealing to everyone to get involved as a donor.

Another important point is the security and protection of the donors. According to the requirements of the Transfusion Act, there are clear exclusion criteria to minimize health risks for those willing to donate and the recipients. For example, women are allowed to donate blood a maximum of four and men six times a year. Before the donation, an in-depth medical examination and the filling out of a questionnaire is carried out to clarify risk situations, such as The Blutspitededienst West emphasized.

The processing after the donation

After the donation, the blood is divided into three main components: erythrocyte concentrates, plasma concentrates and platelet concentrates. The elimination of the white blood cells is crucial to avoid unwanted side effects in transfusions. These preparations are not only used in the treatment of cancer patients and in heart diseases, but are also essential in emergencies such as accident injuries or serious blood losses.