Voluntary Blood Donation

The most precious sharing of your life

Every summer, weather conditions and people’s holiday travel result in a reduction in blood donations and consequently in blood supply. But the need for blood is constant, and all of us, both we and our loved ones, may become potential blood recipients at any time. Responding to the National Health System’s increased need for blood, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is organizing a blood drive at its premises, on Friday & Saturday, September 15 & 16, in a public benefit event with a hint of celebration.

The voluntary blood donation unit will be operated in collaboration with the Coordinating Centre for Haemovigilance and Surveillance of Transfusion (SKAEM) of the National Public Health Organization (EODY), and will be open from 9 in the morning until 7 in the afternoon, at the Book Castle of the National Library of Greece (NLG). Information about the process and the impact of voluntary blood donation on people in need will be provided to interested parties at the Agora info point.

The World Health Organization estimates that every single person, or a member of their family or a friend, will need blood at some point in their life. The blood drive, an activity directly associated with the vision of the SNFCC, aims at activating public space for a hands-on contribution to the smooth operation of the health system, as well as strengthening the culture of voluntary blood donation in our country.

This units of blood will be donated to those impacted by the flood in Thessaly.

Donate 20 minutes of your time - Save a life

Every healthy person aged 18-65 years has 4 to 5 liters of blood, which is replenished very quickly by our body. Donating one unit of blood, i.e., approximately 450 ml, once to four times per year, takes only 20 minutes of your time and can save more than one patient.

Blood donation is a process that does not harm our body; on the contrary, it offers multiple physical benefits, while also offering each volunteer blood donor the mental satisfaction that they have helped a patient survive.

To give blood, you need to:

• Be 18 to 65 years old
• Weigh at least 50 kilos
• Have had a light meal before giving blood
• Be well hydrated
• Have slept for at least 5 hours the night before
• Have not consumed alcohol before giving blood, and refrain from doing so for the rest of that day
• Have avoided intense physical exertion or exercise
• Report any diseases or medication you are on to the blood drive physician
• Have not gotten a new tattoo in the past 4 months

More information:
EKEA - National Centre for Blood Donation
EODY - Coordinating Centre for Haemovigilance and Surveillance of Transfusion

Friday & Saturday, Sept. 15 & 16
09.00–19.00
AGORA