Virginia Barcones attends the ‘Castile and Leon for Life’ awards organized by the Federation of Blood Donors

• Castilla y León is the second most donated community in all of Spain with a percentage of 46.12 per thousand inhabitants. In 2022, 109,636 donations were obtained • Burgos and Soria are in the lead in Spain in the donation rate with a percentage above 58 per thousand • It is estimated that 9 out of 10 people will need a blood transfusion at least once in their lives • Nine of the ten blood donor brotherhoods have been present

October 21, 2023.- The delegate of the Government in Castilla y León, Virginia Barcones, has been present in the prizes 'Castilla y León for Life' organized by the Federation of Blood Donors of Castilla y León. An event that took place in the Aula Magna Tirso de Molina de Soria and in which nine of the 10 donor brotherhoods that make up the regional federation have been represented. Precisely, Castilla y León is the second most donated Community in all of Spain with a percentage of 46.12 per thousand inhabitants. In 2022, 109,636 donations were obtained.

During the event, the delegate of the Government was accompanied by Mayor Soria, Carlos Martínez; and by the subdelegate of the Government in Soria, Miguel Latorre Zubiri. Also present were the president of the Federation of Blood Donors of Castilla y León, Francisco del Amo; and the president of the Brotherhood of Blood Donors of Soria, José Luis Molina, among other presidents of brotherhoods and blood donors.

To all of them, and to the 48 laureates from across the Community, Virginia Barcones has come to thank them for their “selfless work for our society.” The motto of the Federation and the brotherhoods is ‘Donate blood. Give life’. It is estimated that 9 out of 10 people will need at least one blood transfusion once in their lives. It is therefore a crucial task that has permeated our society as evidenced by the 109,636 donations obtained in Castilla y León in 2022.

The work of the brotherhoods of donors allows the Blood Banks to count on blood, platelets or plasma. That there are enough stocks to cope with the transfusions that some people in oncological treatment or with blood diseases need. You also guarantee that the operating theatres have the necessary levels to perform surgical interventions. “In other words, you can’t think of a more appropriate slogan because, in fact, with your donations, you save lives,” explained the government delegate.

In 2022 Spain occupied the first place in the world of blood donations with a total of 1,721,087, with a donation rate of 37.27 per thousand inhabitants. Castilla y León is the second community in all of Spain that donates the most with a percentage of 46.12 per thousand inhabitants. In addition, Burgos and Soria are at the top of the list in Spain in terms of donations, with a percentage above 58 per thousand inhabitants.

“These data reveal the greatness of your altruistic solidarity,” said the government delegate. In Castilla y León, 450 donations are needed daily in order to maintain the blood supply. That is why the work of the 10 Blood Brotherhoods of Castile and Leon is important. “Your work is indispensable for that first donation, which is the one that costs the most. Once it takes place that first time, a lot of donors repeat experience,” added Barcones.

The highest rate of donor people is among people aged 46 years. Involving young people to renew donors is one of the goals of the brotherhoods.

Before finishing, Virginia Barcones reiterated her thanks to the winners. “This is more than deserved recognition because there is nothing more sacred than life and with your donations you help to give life,” he said. He has also had words for José Luis Molina, president of the Brotherhood of Blood Donors of Soria. “It is thanks to the solidarity of our people, yes, but also to your sacrifice for so many years that Soria, together with Burgos, is at the forefront in Spain in terms of the rate of donations in Spain,” he concluded.