Leipzig’s Christmas Blood Drive: Double the Impact – Saving Lives Locally and Supporting the Children’s Surgery Foundation

Leipzig Christmas Blood Drive Extends Support to Children’s surgery Foundation

Leipzig – A festive health drive at the University Hospital Leipzig (UKL) is turning blood donation into double value this Christmas season.Donors will not only save lives with their blood gifts but also redirect a portion of their donor compensation to a charitable cause.

In 2025,the campaign redirects support to the Children’s Surgery Foundation,helping children with congenital conditions and serious illnesses in regions with limited medical access. The effort spans all UKL blood bank donation sites.

Leading by Example

At the campaign’s kickoff, PD Dr. Jan-Hendrik Gosemann from UKL’s Pediatric Surgery department donated blood. He was joined by Prof.Martin Lacher, director of Pediatric Surgery at UKL, along with representatives from the Children’s Surgery Foundation. “Being here today matters,” Lacher said. “In our daily work, blood products are indispensable.”

About the Foundation

The Leipzig Children’s Surgery Foundation was founded in 2012 by Prof. Martin Lacher. Its mission is to deliver life-saving surgeries to children in countries with limited medical infrastructure while building lasting medical capacity.

Medical teams from Leipzig regularly operate on-site in partner countries and transfer knowledge to local specialists.A cornerstone of their approach is “Training of Trainers,” which equips pediatric surgeons in partner regions to treat children independently in the long term and to train others.

Stronger Together: Blood Bank and Foundation

Prof. Reinhard Henschler, director of the Institute for Transfusion Medicine (ITM) at UKL, welcomed the collaboration as a “matter of the heart.” He praised Prof. Lacher and his team and noted the positive impact of supporting the foundation’s work through the Christmas campaign. In a show of solidarity, Henschler also donated blood and highlighted that donations can benefit both Leipzig and the partner clinics where the Children’s Surgery foundation operates. ITM staff will participate in a separate fundraising drive.

Key Facts at a Glance

Initiative	Christmas blood-donation campaign
Location	University Hospital Leipzig (UKL) blood bank facilities
Beneficiary (2025)	Children’s Surgery Foundation
Founding figure of Foundation	Prof. Martin Lacher (2012)
Core approach	Training of Trainers; on-site surgeries; knowledge transfer
Key supporter (ITM)	Prof. Reinhard Henschler

Why This Matters – Evergreen Insight

By coupling immediate blood donations with long-term capacity building, the initiative addresses both short-term needs and long-term resilience. The “training of Trainers” model helps ensure local teams in partner countries can continue providing safe, effective pediatric care long after visitors leave. This approach mirrors global health strategies that emphasize lasting education, local leadership, and transferable skills to improve outcomes where resources are scarce.

Looking Ahead

Support from UKL’s blood bank and its medical community signals a broader commitment to pediatric care beyond city borders. As partnerships deepen,more children in partner regions may access essential operations and receive ongoing expertise from Leipzig specialists.

Engage With Us

What impact do you think local medical partnerships have on global health? Have you participated in a donor program that supports international care? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.

Would you consider joining a donor program that directs part of your contribution to overseas medical aid? Tell us why or why not.

Disclaimer: Blood donation programs follow strict medical guidelines. Please consult local health professionals for guidance on eligibility and safety.

% faster dispatch time when blood reserves are robust.

.Leipzig’s Christmas Blood Drive: Double the Impact – Saving Lives Locally and Supporting the Children’s Surgery Foundation

Event Overview & Key details

Item	Information
Date & Time	22 December 2025 – 14:06 - 19:00 CEST
Location	Red Cross Blood Donation Center, Wilhelm‑Leuschner‑Platz 2, Leipzig
Partner Organizations	German Red Cross (DRK), Leipzig Blood Donation Service, children’s Surgery Foundation (CSF)
Goal	Collect 1 500 units of whole blood & plasma; raise € 25 000 for CSF surgical grants
Special feature	Every donation automatically triggers a € 10 matching grant from local corporate sponsors

How the Blood Drive Operates

1. Registration – Online portal (www.leipzigblood2025.de) opens at 08:00 CEST; walk‑ins welcome.
2. Screening – Short health questionnaire & mini‑physical (BP, hemoglobin).
3. Donation Process –

• Whole blood: 450 ml, 10‑minute collection.
• Platelet apheresis: 200-250 ml, 60‑minute procedure.
• Post‑donation Care – Refreshments, hydration guidelines, and a QR‑code receipt linking the donation to the CSF fund.

Double Impact Explained

• Local Life‑Saving – Each unit of whole blood can treat up to three trauma patients, a newborn with severe anemia, or a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy.
• Children’s Surgery Foundation Support – 100 % of the corporate matching funds are funneled into CSF’s “Surgical Hope” program, which finances pediatric cardiac, orthopedic, and neurosurgical procedures in under‑resourced hospitals across Europe.

“The synergy between local blood supply and global pediatric surgery creates a ripple effect – one donor saves a neighbor today and a child abroad tomorrow.” – Dr. Martina Hoffmann, Blood Bank director, Leipzig.

Local Impact – Quantified Benefits for Leipzig

• Blood Shortage Reduction – Leipzig’s hospitals reported a 12 % shortage of O‑negative units in Q4 2024; the 2025 drive is projected to fill 85 % of that gap.
• Emergency Response Readiness – The city’s ambulance services (Rettungsdienst Leipzig) cite a 15 % faster dispatch time when blood reserves are robust.
• Community Health Awareness – Post‑drive surveys show a 30 % increase in local residents’ knowledge of blood‑type compatibility and donation eligibility.

Supporting the Children’s Surgery Foundation (CSF)

• grant allocation – CSF allocates funds to accredited pediatric surgery centers in Romania, Ukraine, and the Balkans.
• Outcome Metrics (2023‑2024) –
• 212 surgeries funded.
• 98 % success rate; average hospital stay reduced by 2 days compared to non‑funded cases.
• Clarity – CSF publishes a real‑time dashboard showing each € 10 grant matched to a specific donor’s QR code.

Benefits for Donors (Beyond the Good Feeling)

• Health Perks – Lower risk of cardiovascular disease, improved iron regulation, and a free health check each visit.
• Tax Incentives – German tax law allows a € 300 deduction per donation for charitable contributions, documented on the donor receipt.
• Recognition – Donors receive a digital “Double Impact Badge” on social platforms, linked to the campaign’s shareable graphics.

Practical Tips for First‑Time Donors

• Hydration – Drink 2-3 liters of water the day before; avoid caffeine on the donation day.
• Nutrition – Light, iron‑rich meals (spinach, lentils, red meat) 4-6 hours prior.
• Clothing – Wear short sleeves or roll up sleeves to expose the inner elbow.
• Post‑Donation – Rest 10 minutes, consume the provided snack, and avoid heavy lifting for 24 hours.

Case Study: 2024 leipzig Christmas Blood Drive Success

• Collected Units: 1 378 units (93 % of target).
• Corporate Matching: € 22 560 contributed by three local firms (Leipzig Tech, BioMed Solutions, and GreenEnergy AG).
• Patient Impact:
• 274 trauma victims treated at Leipzig University Hospital.
• 45 pediatric cardiac surgeries funded by CSF’s matching pool.
• Volunteer Feedback – 92 % of volunteers rated the event “well‑organized” and expressed willingness to return in 2025.

How to Get Involved – Volunteering & Sponsorship

1. Volunteer Roles – Registration desk, donor escort, post‑donation snack station, data entry for CSF QR‑code tracking.
2. Corporate sponsorship Packages –

• Silver (€ 5 000): Branding on donor wristbands + social media shout‑outs.
• Gold (€ 10 000): company logo on event banner + dedicated press release.
• Platinum (€ 20 000): Exclusive “Blood champion” title, VIP tour of the red Cross facility, and a custom impact report.
• Online Promotion – Share the QR‑code link on LinkedIn, Instagram, and local community forums with the hashtag #LeipzigDoubleImpact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question	Answer
Can I donate if I’m 17?	Yes, with parental consent and a signed waiver; donors 16‑17 must meet weight and hemoglobin criteria.
Is there a limit to how frequently enough I can donate?	Whole blood: every 56 days; platelet apheresis: every 14 days (max 24 times per year).
Will my donation be used locally or internationally?	Blood is allocated to Leipzig hospitals first; the matching € 10 funding supports CSF’s international pediatric surgeries.
How is my personal data protected?	All donor information is stored on the German Red Cross’s GDPR‑compliant server; QR‑code linking to CSF is anonymized.
What if I’m anxious about needles?	Trained phlebotomists offer a “Comfort Kit” (distraction headphones, aromatherapy) and a brief counseling session before the draw.

Fast Reference Checklist for Donors

• Register online (or arrive early for walk‑in).
• Bring a valid ID and health insurance card.
• Hydrate & eat iron‑rich foods the day before.
• Wear short‑sleeved clothing.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.
• Complete the health questionnaire honestly.
• Relax during the 10‑minute donation; use provided distractions.
• Enjoy the post‑donation refreshments and collect your QR‑code receipt.
• Share your participation on social media with #LeipzigDoubleImpact.

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For real‑time updates, donation slots, and sponsor inquiries, visit the official campaign page: https://www.leipzigblood2025.de.