A locker full of uniforms. Rescuers of all branches stepped up their assistance to the public and donated blood and plasma together

April 30, 2024

We have the 30th of April, a date that is associated with the tradition of Philippa Jacob night and the burning of witches. According to ancient legends, the lit bonfires are supposed to rid all living creatures of all the impurity that has accumulated during the dark winter season, and at the same time give them protection for the season to come. The rescuers of all components of the Integrated Rescue System of the Olomouc region conceived the cleansing and protection ritual in their own way. Instead of lighting fires, they donated blood and plasma at the Olomouc University Hospital. More than 130 policemen, firefighters, soldiers, military policemen, paramedics and, of course, doctors and nurses came to the Transfusion Department.

“We want to show the public and other existing and potential donors that we ourselves are very well aware of how important non-contributory blood donation is and that we are able to join forces when needed,” Alice Entrová, deputy head of the Transfusion Department of Olomouc University Hospital, said earlier. The idea of ​​an action called Help² was created in connection with the extensive reconstruction of the transfusion facility. “Since mid-March, we have been working in somewhat temporary conditions that will last until September. When it’s done, the donor will find a comfortable, modern environment. Before that happens, however, we are forced to collect transfusion preparations under difficult conditions. It is a challenging period both for us and especially for donors. Therefore, we are very grateful for the fact that at this critical time, all components of the integrated rescue system listened to our call and donated blood and plasma together at our place,” she added.

The first donors gathered at the Transfusion Department from seven o’clock in the morning. The event was opened by Roman Havlík, director of Olomouc National Hospital, who thanked all participants for their willingness to selflessly help patients. Words of thanks and praise also came from the head of the Transfusion Department, Dana Galuszková, and the Governor of the Olomouc Region, Josef Suchánek. The members of the rescue services were greeted and supported by Brigadier General Tomáš Landsfeld, Director of the Olomouc Region Police Regional Directorate, and Major General Roman Náhončík, Commander of the Ground Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. In addition, both were among the donors.

Of the 132 registered donors, only six did not go through to the collection itself for various reasons. “We are very happy about it. And we are also very pleased that 22 first-time donors came. We believe that they were not with us for the last time. And even 15 donors joined the bone marrow donor registry, that’s great news. We sincerely thank everyone who decided to help our patients,” said Lucie Dubanská, donor recruitment officer, with enthusiasm.

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