Andalucia has launched its annual summer blood donation campaign, urging residents and visitors to give blood and plasma to help hospitals maintain vital supplies during the busy holiday season.
The initiative, called ‘My Summer Saves Lives’, has been introduced to offset the seasonal drop in donations that typically occurs during the summer months, while demand remains high across the region.
Antonio Sanz, Andalucia’s acting minister for Health, Presidency and Emergencies, said maintaining donations is essential to ensure hospitals can continue treating patients throughout the summer.
He stressed that a single blood donation can help save or improve the lives of up to three people and encouraged more young people to become regular donors.
To support the campaign, the Andalucian Network of Transfusion, Tissue and Cell Centres has introduced a region-wide plan that includes extra donation sessions, longer opening hours at donation centres and expanded collection efforts in areas expecting large numbers of summer visitors.
Particular attention will be given to Malaga, Cadiz, Huelva and Almeria, where tourist numbers rise sharply during July and August.
Inland destinations with busy summer tourism, including parts of Jaen, will also receive additional donation sessions.
Donation centres have adjusted their schedules to make it easier to give blood during periods of extreme heat, with many operating from air-conditioned facilities and offering morning and afternoon appointments.
The regional government has also updated its emergency blood supply contingency plan for 2026, allowing hospitals to better manage stocks if reserves begin to fall, particularly for O negative blood, which is often in greatest demand during emergencies.
In Malaga province alone, 63 blood collection sessions have been scheduled for July, with teams visiting towns along the Costa del Sol while permanent donation centres increase their opening hours.
Officials say more than three-quarters of all donated blood is used to treat conditions that continue throughout the summer rather than emergencies alone.
Around one-third supports cancer patients and people with blood disorders, while significant amounts are also needed for anaemia treatment, surgery, transplants, burns, heart disease, kidney conditions and trauma cases.
Although Andalucia currently has healthy blood reserves, health officials say donations must continue throughout the summer to ensure hospitals can meet demand.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
