Almería “mega marathon” blood drive breaks record with 1,000 donations

Thursday, May 7, was a truly remarkable day in Almería, as over one thousand people took part in the XVII Almería Donation Marathon, donating their time, blood and plasma to the crucially important cause

Mega blood marathon

Not just any blood drive, this was a “mega-marathon”. Organisers anticipated a big turnout and even hoped to eclipse last year’s campaign which attracted 868 donors, including 654 blood donors and 150 plasma donors.

In anticipation of the large-scale blood drive, over 55 healthcare professionals were mobilised to manage the donations and ensure participant’s comfort, and 26 specialist plasma donation machines were installed to improve efficiency.

Over 1,000 blood and plasma donations collected

The event began at 9.30am and by mid-morning more than 350 donors had already visited the blood drive. Long queues continued throughout the afternoon as local residents responded to repeated calls for support ahead of the busy summer period.

By the end of the day, the Donation Marathon surpassed one thousand donations for the first time ever. A total of 1,001 donations were collected, including 779 blood donations and 222 plasma donations, breaking the previous record of 989. Organisers described the achievement as a major milestone that further establishes Almería as one of Spain’s leading provinces for donation campaigns.

Why plasma donations are so important

This year’s campaign placed a special focus on plasma donation, with organisers keen to increase awareness of its life-saving role in modern medicine. Plasma is used to produce treatments that cannot be manufactured artificially and is essential for patients suffering from immune disorders, clotting conditions such as haemophilia, severe burns and other serious illnesses.

The 222 plasma donations collected represented a significant increase on last year’s figures, highlighting growing public awareness of its importance

Almería maintains strong blood reserves ahead of summer

Almería currently maintains high levels of blood stock, with reserves estimated at seven to eight days, above the national average of six days. Health officials say campaigns such as the Donation Marathon are vital in helping hospitals prepare for the summer months, when blood reserves often fall due to increased demand and fewer donors.

Medical professionals praised the generosity and solidarity shown by residents throughout the marathon. Thanks to the continued commitment of donors and healthcare staff, hospitals across the province are able to continue operating with strong reserves and without the need for urgent public appeals.