In search of Red Gold - Rotaract blood drive

Blood is an invaluable resource. Each year in Finland, there is around 50,00 surgical patients, accident victims, cancer patients, and prematurely born babies, among others, who are in need of blood products. Blood cannot yet be artificially produced, nor stored for very long, so all of it has to come from donors on a daily basis. The good thing is that one donation can help up to three recipients.

We at Rotaract Oulu decided to get involved on the topic and encourage repeated blood donations. Luckily for us, Red Cross had already established a program called BloodGroups. A BloodGroup makes it easier for new people to donate, and it can help existing donors give blood more often. Donating becomes more fun with work colleagues, schoolmates, or friends. Finnish Red Cross has a simple guide on how to start a BloodGroup. New groups receive a goodie bag with gifts, as well as a 'Blood Service Certificate of Honour' from Red Cross, once the group donates 10 times each calendar year.