Austrian Red Cross urges safe blood donations during heat wave

The Austrian Red Cross announced that donating blood remains safe and is urgently needed despite high summer temperatures. Transfusion specialist Simon Gänsdorfer emphasized that donation is possible as long as donors feel well and stay properly hydrated, recommending two to three litres of water, unsweetened tea or juice throughout the day and a pause of at least 30 minutes after giving blood.

He warned that people with circulation problems should refrain from donating. The Red Cross noted that blood demand does not pause in summer – a unit is needed every 90 seconds in Austria, supporting births, emergencies and chronic patients – even though donor willingness typically falls during hot weather.