Andorra Blood Drive Collects 192 Donations, Falls Short of 200 Goal at Toni Martí Pavilion

The seventh "La jugada que salva vides" blood donation campaign at Andorra la Vella's Toni Martí Pavilion, known to basketball fans as the Bombonera, collected 192 donations on Monday, just shy of its 200 target. Jointly run by the Andorran Red Cross, MoraBanc Andorra, and the government, the event from noon to 8 p.m. produced 182 effective donations and 10 offers, including 28 first-timers.

Crowds arrived steadily throughout, with peaks at midday and in the afternoon, mirroring last year's 206 donations at the same site. This was the second drive of the year, following 436 at the Andorran School, as organizers seek to top the previous annual total of around 1,400.

Health Minister Helena Mas and Secretary of State Cristina Pérez donated, signaling strong official backing. Mas emphasized the shared responsibility for personal and community health, with the government supporting all such efforts. Red Cross director Jordi Ribes welcomed the public turnout and new donors, which strengthen stocks via links to the Andorran Health Care Service and Catalonia's blood bank. He called these regular events essential for steady supplies and expressed satisfaction at the response, noting newcomers ensure long-term viability.

MoraBanc Andorra president Gorka Aixàs, sports director Francesc Solana, and staff such as Paco Vázquez and Chechu Bermudo donated early. Aixàs called the club's role a point of pride, leveraging its reach to draw crowds and blend sports with social action.

Donor demographics showed 110 men (57%) and 82 women (43%), led by the 45-54 age group (75), then 55-64 (46) and 35-44 (31). Younger participants were scarce, a focus for future drives. O positive (57) and A positive (56) led blood types, but negative and AB remain vital for targeted needs.

The event also pushed bone marrow registration for ages 18-40—now exceeding 700 since 2020—and cornea donation information, available posthumously from age 2 to 89 without blood matching and offering nearly 100% vision recovery rates. Nurse Víctor García noted it causes no funeral delays. Regular donor Daniela, whose partner benefited from corneas 20 years ago, registered while giving blood and marrow.

Double tickets to MoraBanc Andorra's next Baskonia game served as incentives. The next campaign is set for June 1-3 at Sant Ermengol school in La Llacuna.