The Blood Bank needs urgent help: there are only two days' worth of reserves.

PalmThe blood reserves at the Balearic Islands Blood and Tissue Bank (BSTIB) are in a critical situation. With only 599 red blood cells available—when the ideal would be at least 1,000—the supply to the islands' hospitals is severely compromised. Blood groups O positive, A positive, A negative, and O negative are urgently needed to guarantee healthcare.

The bank warns that blood types O positive and O negative are especially urgent and a priority, as there is only enough blood to cover demand for two days. "This situation seriously compromises the care of patients who require transfusions, such as those with oncohematological diseases, transplant recipients, accident victims, or those undergoing surgery," it states.

Adding to this shortage is a worrying fact: "Only 50% of the donations needed to maintain the usual supply, which stands at around 200 donations per day, are being collected." The decline in supplies coincides with the summer period, when donations traditionally decline.

Between 18 and 70 years old and over 50 kilos

The BSTIB is urgently calling on all healthy people, especially those with blood types O positive, A positive, A negative, and O negative, to come forward and give their blood as soon as possible.

Donating blood is safe, easy, and saves lives. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 70 who weighs more than 50 kilos and has not donated in the last two months can do so. Men can donate up to four times a year, and women three times. You can make an appointment online at www.donasang.org, where you can also take a rapid test to check your eligibility. The San Juan de Palma Blood Donation Bank is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Campaigns are also organized on the three islands, which can be found online.