Nursing Students in Herford Donate Blood to Support Regional Care

Thirteen nursing trainees and two staff members from the Schulen für Pflegeberufe Herford/Lippe recently donated blood at the Uni.Blutspendedienst OWL in Herford, responding to a regional shortage of blood supplies. The initiative, which took place at the facility located in the Klinikum Herford, aimed to address the constant clinical demand for blood products through a coordinated effort involving both students and educators.

Motivation for the Herford blood donation drive

The campaign was initiated by Folker Früchtel, the regional director for the nursing schools, who sought to mobilize young people to address the persistent lack of donors. According to reports from the schools, the students were prepared for the drive through classroom sessions conducted by Dr. med. Attila Mandl, an senior physician at the Institute for Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine at the Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW (HDZ NRW). During these sessions, students received information regarding the medical importance of blood products in daily clinical practice.

We are a nursing school with many young people, and I thought to myself: We can and should mobilize them within our means and motivate them to donate blood or register for the first time.

Folker Früchtel, Regional Director of Schools for Nursing Professions Herford/Lippe

Clinical necessity for regional blood supplies

Blood products remain essential for complex surgeries and the treatment of severe illnesses, serving as a primary component for life-saving medications. Because these products cannot be replaced, regional hospitals rely heavily on consistent donation rates. Dr. med. Attila Mandl noted that supplies are frequently low and said the system needs more young, healthy recruits to ensure long-term stability.

We are thrilled that such a large group of young people have decided to donate blood. Our supplies are limited, and young, healthy people in particular can support us for many decades through regular donations.

Dr. med. Attila Mandl, Senior Physician at the Institute for Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine at the HDZ NRW

Nursing trainees commit to future blood donations

Beyond the 15 participants who successfully donated during this specific event, other students registered for future donations, having been unable to participate due to age requirements or temporary health reasons. Tobias Bach, head of school and managing director, stated that the initiative highlighted the team spirit and commitment of the nursing trainees, noting that their dedication extends beyond their formal training. Participants have expressed an intention to return for subsequent donations, aiming to serve as examples for others in the region.

Blood donation procedures at Uni.Blutspendedienst OWL

The Uni.Blutspendedienst OWL, directed by Prof. Dr. Cornelius Knabbe, operates six collection facilities across the region, including sites in Bielefeld, Bad Oeynhausen, Bünde, Herford, Gütersloh, and Minden. Healthy adults aged 18 and older are generally eligible to donate after completing an initial medical health check.

• Donation frequency: Men may donate whole blood up to six times per year, while women may donate up to four times per year.
• Additional procedures: Plasma and platelet donations are possible at the Bad Oeynhausen and Bielefeld locations.
• Facility details: The Herford donation site is located at the Klinikum Herford, Schwarzenmoorstraße 70, and is open Mondays from 13:00 to 19:00.
• Donor resources: Donors receive a blood donor card indicating their blood type and can request access to the NEXUS donor application.