Andorran Red Cross Launches Eighth Annual Blood Drive at New Venue

The Andorran Red Cross launched its eighth annual blood donation campaign this week at the Centre Cultural la Llacuna in Andorra la Vella, the first time at this location with backing from the local parish council. The drive, running through Friday, has drawn keen interest, with queues forming on Wednesday morning as doors opened.

Joan Saurí, the organisation's secretary general, described the venue's central and intimate feel as ideal for drawing crowds, unlike the colder vibe of past larger sites. In comments to the Andorran News Agency (ANA), he expressed optimism about reversing last year's modest decline through better promotion and logistics, targeting 1,500 donations across five campaigns this year. Parish support and community facilities like La Llacuna will host future events, including one during Sant Ermengol festivities, he added. "Collaboration with parishes and use of communal spaces is essential to sustain blood reserves," Saurí said.

Pre-booked appointments are almost fully taken, though Friday slots remain open. Saurí urged walk-ups, as around 20% of reservations often go unfilled due to no-shows or ineligibility. Donors must be 18-70, healthy, and without recent surgery or specific illnesses, with medics conducting final checks. Most people qualify, he noted.

The campaign broadens outreach with Andorran Health Care Service (SAAS) teams registering bone marrow and cornea donors on site, creating a fuller donation package to boost awareness. Blood goes to the Blood and Tissue Bank of Catalonia, which greenlit the venue.

Andorran School students bolstered the educational side, studying circulation and producing posters and awareness materials over the term. Pupils from Ordino and Encamp secondary schools will visit soon, despite some scheduling tweaks—this marks the eighth year of their involvement.

Donors cited varied reasons for giving: Carolina wanted supplies ready for emergencies; Pedro aimed to aid those in need, perhaps family; rare O-negative donor Carina sought to save lives despite her group's limitations; Marc from Tarragona valued the volunteer-led setup; and volunteer Albert highlighted its necessity for operations and crashes. One donor also signed up as a cornea donor.