The Transfusion Department of the Hořovice Hospital has long been struggling with a variable number of donors and therefore greatly appreciates every initiative that helps to ensure sufficient blood. Particularly valuable are regular donations from school groups, which bring young people to donate.
The same was the case last week, when the transfusion department was visited by students of the Hořovice Grammar School. Blood donation has become a tradition here, with students of the third and fourth years of the Václav Hraběte Gymnasium donating blood regularly since 2013.
"Blood donation has become a tradition, we have been donating blood regularly with third and fourth year students since 2013," said Mgr. Martin Solař, who organizes this event for students every year.
This time a group of eighteen brave students arrived, for some of them it was their first blood donation. The condition for donation is to reach the age of 18. Just as employees are entitled to a day off after the donation, students also have the opportunity to take a day off without school duties.
Before the first donation, there was a natural nervousness among the students, but this was soon replaced by a sense of good deed and pride. "Today I am donating blood for the first time. If I don't get sick, I would like to donate blood regularly, just like my parents," said student Anežka.
The medical staff of the Transfusion Department of the Hořovice Hospital guided the students through the whole process, explained everything to them clearly and took care of their comfort. Thanks to the friendly approach, the first experience with blood donation was positive and motivating for most of the young donors.
Every donation counts. Come and donate blood
The Transfusion Unit also thanks all the donors who come to donate blood regularly. However, due to the increased incidence of respiratory diseases, the number of donors is decreasing. "We will be very happy if our healthy donors come to donate. In this period, we are most lacking blood groups 0-, A-, B-, AB-, 0+, A+," added Pavlína Nováková, head nurse of the Transfusion Department of Hořovice Hospital.
Therefore, the team of the Transfusion Department urges all healthy and eligible donors not to postpone donating blood. Each donation can help several patients, and during an epidemic the need for blood is especially important.
The new donor reward system
Since December last year, the Transfusion Department of Hořovice Hospital has changed the benefits for blood donation. Travel expenses are no longer reimbursed, but donors now receive a meal voucher worth CZK 250 after a successful donation. The existing 100 CZK voucher for refreshments has been replaced by a meal voucher with a higher value, while the possibilities of its use have been significantly expanded. The meal voucher can be used not only in restaurants, but also in shops and e-shops when buying food. This benefit is a further thank you to donors for their time and willingness to help
How to subscribe
Those interested in donating blood can make an appointment at the Transfusion Department of Hořovice Hospital on weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm by calling 311 559 402 or 311 559 555. Blood donations take place every working day.
