Festive blood donation appeal

The Portuguese Federation of Voluntary Blood Donors (FEPODABES) have alerted the public to the importance of donating blood, especially during the festive season.

By TPN/Lusa, in News, Portugal · 16 Dec 2025, 19:05 · 0 Comments

Federation asks for Blood Donations The Portuguese Federation of Voluntary Blood Donors (FEPODABES) appealed, on 3 August, for blood donations before the holidays and stressed the need for blood from groups O-, A- and B - which have "very low" reserves.

In the campaign, FEPODABES says that the data regarding the reserves of the Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation (IPST) are worrying, emphasising that the appeal focuses particularly on blood types O+, O--, B- and A-.

According to data from the federation, in the IPST reserves on Monday, the most needed blood type was B-, with an appeal for immediate donation, followed by A- and O+, which are estimated to last one to two days, and AB- and O-, which last three to five days.

However, in the national reserve (hospitals), all blood types are at normal levels, with a need for "regular donations".

Algarve shortage

The region with the greatest shortage is the Algarve, with reserves for three to five days of AB+ and O+ blood.

With this campaign - "This Christmas give your best gift, donate blood, give life!" - the federation warns that blood reserve levels "need to be continuously reinforced", emphasizing that "every donation makes a difference in saving lives".

Quoted in a statement, the president of FEPODABES, Alberto Mota, points out that "the country has entered an epidemic phase of influenza," a scenario that should decrease the availability of blood donors, and reinforced the appeal for donations from all healthy citizens.

The federation reminds that blood donation is a constant need and a vital act of solidarity that can save up to three lives per donation.

"In Portugal, stock levels are sometimes low, reinforcing the importance of new donors," he adds.

To donate blood, citizens must be between 18 years old – 17-year-olds can donate with parental consent – and 65 years old, but the age limit for the first donation is 60. They must weigh at least 50 kg, be in good health, and have healthy lifestyle habits.

The President of FEPODABES also warns about the reduction and aging of the number of regular donors and adds: "It is a daily struggle to get younger people to start donating regularly."

Information about official blood collection locations is available on the FEPODABES website at www.fepodabes.pt or on the APP/DSANGUE.