Opinion article by António de Almeida, hematologist and Dean of the Católica Medical School.

Blood donation is a fundamental pillar of public health, a chain of life that is renewed with each donation.

Since the dawn of humanity, blood has been recognized as essential for life. This hypothesis was verified in the 17th century with blood transfusions between animals and from animals to humans. However, it was only in the 20th century that advances in science made transfusions safe. In 1937, the first blood bank was founded, and the World Wars spurred the development of preservation techniques.

Nowadays, blood is needed daily for surgeries, trauma, chronic diseases and cancer treatment. In Portugal, around 1000 units of blood are needed per day, but the population's disease profile and medical advances are increasing demand, making active community participation essential to maintain safe stocks.

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You can read the full article at Observador.