“To meet this demand and given the decrease in blood reserves, especially of O+, we appeal to all healthy people, emphasising the importance of contributing with their donation for the well-being and health of the thousands of patients who need it,” said the president of FEPODABES in a statement.

Alberto Mota points out that the need for blood is constant in hospitals, as cancer patients, those undergoing various surgeries, or accident victims often require blood transfusions.

“Unfortunately, people are donating less and less, and the regular donors are generations that are aging, who can no longer donate blood after the age of 65. Therefore, it is a daily struggle to get younger people to donate blood,” he says.

In the statement, the Federation reminds that the blood collection process is a quick procedure (about 30 minutes) and can help save several lives, since a single unit of blood can help up to three people.

“All citizens over 18 years of age, weighing more than 50kg and who are healthy can donate blood. This simple gesture contributes to saving many lives,” appeals Alberto Mota.

According to a report from the Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation (IPST) in November, Portugal registered a further reduction in blood donors in 2024, totalling almost 10,000 fewer compared to 2017, returning to levels close to the pre-pandemic period.

Information about official blood collection locations is available on the FEPODABES website at www.fepodabes.pt or on the APP/DSANGUE.