Tübingen blood donor celebrates 555th donation – a life for others!

Tübingen blood donor celebrates 555th donation – a life for others!

Blood donations are not only an act of charity, but also personal enrichment. A prime example of this is Erwin Haigis from Tübingen, who donated blood for the 555th time today. The 66-year-old has been regularly putting his life essence into the service of others for 30 years and has developed his own routine. How tagesschau.de reports, Haigis now sees blood donation as a kind of wellness program. While he used to sometimes suffer from dizziness after the donation, he now enjoys the peace and quiet and likes to read dime novels during the procedure.

But before he donates blood, Haigis carefully makes sure that he has eaten and drunk enough. This is not just a question of well-being, but also essential to avoid feelings of dizziness. With the new regulation, which has been in place since 2023, healthy people are now allowed to donate blood without an upper age limit as long as they weigh at least 50 kilograms. The donated blood is also tested for diseases on site, which increases safety for everyone involved.

The importance of blood donations

The relevance of blood donations, especially for patients with serious illnesses such as cancer or accident victims, is highlighted by experts such as Dr. Karina Althaus, a transfusion doctor, emphasized again and again. During the holiday season, when willingness to donate often declines, it is particularly important to keep blood reserves well replenished, as some preparations only last for a few days.

Anyone who decides to donate blood should know that the collection for a whole blood donation only takes about ten minutes on average. During this time the donor also receives a sum of 25 euros. However, when donating plasma, the entire procedure can take up to two hours. After the donation session, there is a buffet for the donors, which Haigis particularly appreciates.

Health Benefits

But blood donations are not only beneficial for other people. Studies show that they can also benefit your own health. A study by Charité Berlin has shown that regular blood donors often experience an improvement in their blood pressure, which lasts for up to six weeks after donation. People with hypertension can particularly benefit from this effect, as the minimum interval between two donations is eight weeks in order for the body to regenerate sufficiently and to reproduce the red blood cells. blooddonation.de emphasizes that regular donors often get colds less often and have an increased immune system.

A blood donation, however, is not a substitute for a comprehensive medical check-up. Before each donation, blood pressure and hemoglobin levels are checked and you are not allowed to donate if the values ​​are abnormal. After donation, the blood is tested for various infectious diseases to ensure safety for the recipient.

The world of blood donation is full of stories and important contributions to the community. Erwin Haigis is a shining example of how everyone can achieve great things with a small, simple step. Perhaps this will also be an incentive for many people to stop by a blood donation facility and discover what is beneficial for themselves and others.