Blood drive volunteers sought by victorious sports teams - World-class athlete calls for blood donations
He's a footballing legend, a World Champion, and a TV guru — meet Sami Khedira (38). This bloke isn't just kicking goals on the field, he's using his fame for a noble cause: advocating for blood donation. "Mate, you'd be amazed by what a simple blood donation could do—it could potentially save up to three bloody lives!" he exclaims.
Joining forces with national player Lena Oberdorf (23), Sami is championing the #missingtype campaign on World Blood Donor Day, June 14. The DRK blood donation services are behind this initiative, with notable figures, media, and corporations dropping the blood group letters A, B, and O from their names and logos. The reasoning? "It's as simple as that, mate—when those letters are missing, it gets your attention," he grins.
A daunting daily need
3% of theoretically eligible people in Germany are donating regularly. "Blimey, you lot need 15,000 blood donations each day—a figure that might sound abstract, but it's a number we can bring down if we all donate," Oberdorf points out.
"It could hit you fast," adds Khedira, underlining the unpredictability of medical emergencies. "We need more people, more young folks, ready to donate blood regularly and in the long haul. Right now, it's only 3% of you who are doing it."
The time factor
Blood donations have a 42-day shelf life, making the issue even trickier. "Since blood's only good for 42 days, we require ongoing engagement to match the long-term demand," Khedira explains. That's where he steps in—"It's plain and simple, mate, for me to leverage my reach and spread this crucial message far and wide to increase that number!"
A team effort
Khedira's not alone in this battle. Pascal Hens, Felix Stein, Lars Klingbeil, Ferdinand Hofer, Lothar Matthäus, and several sports clubs, like Borussia Dortmund, Hannover 96, and Holstein Kiel, are on board. The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich are also participating, while Patric Nohe, spokesperson for the DRK blood donation services, appreciates their efforts: "Thanks to their remarkable commitment, we can reach more people and hopefully encourage regular, selfless blood donations."
Last year, the number of blood donations during the campaign period saw a 30% surge. So, whether you're a football fan or not, let Sami and Lena's actions inspire you to donate blood—you'll be performing an invaluable service to your community!
- In the realm of science, Sami Khedira and Lena Oberdorf, both renowned figures in football and beyond, showcase the importance of regular blood donations as a means to health-and-wellness and foster a sense of fitness-and-exercise.
- Lena Oberdorf, a young, skilled athlete, alongside Sami Khedira, advocates for increased blood donations, stressing the link between nutrition, sports, and the crucial significance of becoming a blood donor.
- As part of a united front, Sami Khedira joins forces with other sports personalities and teams, leveraging their influence to raise awareness about the need for regular blood donations, contributing to a more health-conscious community through science and education.
