More than 150 donate blood at Liepāja holiday drive

More than 150 people donated blood over two days at a mobile blood drive in Liepāja ahead of Latvia’s national holiday, LSM reported, citing TV Kurzeme. The annual event was held at the Latvian Society House in the city centre, allowing people to give blood without travelling to a hospital.

Donors undergo a health check before giving blood, a process that takes about seven minutes. Both experienced donors and first-timers took part.

Many said they wanted to help others. One blood donation can save up to three lives, according to the report. A donor named Fatima said she came because someone close to her was seriously ill and her O-negative blood type was needed.

Kristīne Cābele, an employee of the State Blood Donor Centre’s Kurzeme branch, said younger people were also coming to donate, often encouraged by colleagues or experiences in their families.

The centre holds mobile drives regularly to make blood donation available in Liepāja and more remote parts of the region. Branch head Linda Gavene said donor activity in the area remained strong and that new generations were joining in.

O-negative blood is particularly needed at present, though donors of all blood types are welcome.