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Barcelona joins Catalonian Blood Donor Marathon
Barcelona has joined that Blood Donor Marathon of Catalonia aimed at gathering 10,000 blood donations in the week from 13 to 20 January.
Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau praised blood donors and the donation system as “a treasure that must be taken care of” and noted that blood reserves are running low due to the flu season.
City authorities reminded that Barcelona took part in the initiative in previous years, adding that the City Council hosted the presentation of this year’s blood drive with mayors of Catalan provinces.
Residents are invited to donate blood at hospitals and more than 60 donation points in Catalonia, with Barcelona promoting the initiative through awareness-raising activities.
Colau pointed out that the system allows everyone in need to receive a transfusion and noted that Barcelona encourages the rest of the world to adopt the model because it is successful.
The Blood and Tissue Bank estimates that 260,000 donations will be needed this year to meet the needs of Catalan patients. It expressed hope that more than 10,000 donations will be gathered in the Blood Donor Marathon.
City authorities reiterated that blood reserves are strained due to an increase in flu cases and Christmas festivities, calling on residents who can to donate blood. The motto of this year’s blood drive is “donating blood sounds good.”
(Photo credit: Nguyễn Hiệp / Unsplash)
