The National Blood Supply Service and the Hungarian Red Cross are calling on the public to donate blood ahead of the upcoming long weekend. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the two organizations emphasized that they are particularly counting on blood donors before the public holiday due to next week’s shortened working week.
They said the country’s blood supply is currently stable, but blood donors are still needed to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
Based on experience from previous years, the August 20 public holiday and the accompanying long weekend affect the number of blood donations, while healthcare institutions continue to require blood products during this period. The organizations said preparations must therefore be made in advance by ensuring adequate supplies. They are asking everyone who feels healthy and is eligible to donate blood to plan their donation for the days before or after the long weekend.
The organizations also noted that, as part of their joint summer blood donation campaign, donors have the chance to win tickets to concerts by well-known Hungarian bands. Those wishing to participate in the prize draw must indicate their intention to do so when registering to donate blood.
The National Blood Supply Service and the Hungarian Red Cross thanked everyone who helped maintain the safety of Hungary’s blood supply by donating blood during the recent period of extreme weather.
Information on current blood donation locations and times is available at www.ovsz.hu/idopontfoglalas and www.veradas.hu. Details of the summer campaign can be found at www.ovsz.hu/nyar.
(MTI)
