Urgent Call for Blood Donations in the Canary Islands
The Canarian Health Service’s Director General of Blood Donation and Haematology is urging residents to donate blood regularly, especially during the summer months when donations typically decline, even as hospitals continue to have a steady demand for blood.
Essential for Life
Blood and its components cannot be artificially produced, making voluntary and altruistic donations vital to ensure availability for patients in need. Each donation can save or enhance several lives, providing critical support for those facing serious medical conditions.
To encourage participation, mobile blood donation units will be set up across various municipalities in the Canary Islands next week, along with fixed donation points remaining operational on all islands.
Where to Donate This Weekend
In Gran Canaria, blood can be donated tomorrow at Siete Palmas Shopping Centre from 09:30 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 20:30.
In Tenerife, a donation point will be available at Leroy Merlin Shopping Centre in Adeje tomorrow, operating from 10:45 to 13:00 and 16:45 to 20:00.
Additionally, the University Hospital of the Canary Islands will accept donations on Saturday from 08:30 to 14:30 and 15:30 to 20:00, and on Sunday from 08:30 to 21:30. For enquiries, contact 922 678 670.
At the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Hospital, donations will also be accepted on Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00 without prior appointment. For more information, call 922 602 060.
Upcoming Donation Initiatives in Tenerife
Next week, the annual Tejina blood donation campaign will take place alongside the Fiesta de los Corazones. The “Nectar of Life” initiative, running for 13 years, aims to boost blood donations among locals. A mobile unit will be stationed in Manuel Hernández Square from 10 to 14 August, operating from 10:30 to 13:30 and 17:15 to 20:30.
The donation point at Multicentro Comercial El Trompo in La Orotava will remain open throughout the week, from 10:15 to 13:30 and 17:15 to 20:30.
For residents in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, blood can be donated at the fixed point on Méndez Núñez Street, Monday to Friday from 09:15 to 20:15 (excluding holidays).
Donating in Gran Canaria
Various mobile units will also be available across Gran Canaria from Monday to Thursday in Santa María de Guía, with specific dates in La Atalaya de Guía and Valleseco.
For fixed donation locations, the Director General of Blood Donation and Haematology has set up a centre on Alfonso XIII Street in Las Palmas, open Monday to Friday from 09:15 to 20:30 (except holidays).
Blood Donation across Other Islands
- Fuerteventura: The Gran Tarajal campaign will continue with a mobile unit available Monday to Friday. The blood donation point at the General Hospital is open daily from 11:00 to 13:30, with prior appointments recommended.
- La Palma: Starting next week, a mobile unit will visit various municipalities to encourage donations, with set hours for multiple locations throughout the island.
- Lanzarote: Blood can be donated at the Doctor José Molina Orosa University Hospital from Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 13:00.
- La Gomera: Donations will be accepted at the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Hospital, operating Monday to Wednesday from 11:00 to 13:00 and Thursday to Friday from 09:00 to 13:00.
- El Hierro: At the Insular Hospital, donations are accepted on Mondays from 10:00 to 12:30.
Eligibility to Donate
To donate blood, individuals must be aged between 18 and 65 (under 60 for first-time donors), weigh over 50kg, be in general good health, and not be pregnant. For questions, please call the donor helpline at 900 234 061 or visit efectodonacion.com.
