Blood Is Especially Needed During the Summer

The summer holiday season is a time when regular blood donors tend to donate less frequently, while hospitals’ demand for this life-saving medicine increases. On Thursday, 16 July, a mobile blood donation unit operated by the Regional Blood Donation and Blood Treatment Centre in Bydgoszcz will be stationed at Theatre Square, in front of the Marshal’s Office in Toruń, where volunteers will be able to donate blood. The campaign takes place on the third Thursday of every month.

“Your blood can save someone’s health or even their life. I encourage everyone who is eligible to take part in our campaign,” says Piotr Całbecki, Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region.

Who can donate blood?

Blood donors must be between 18 and 65 years of age, be in good health and free of any symptoms of infection and weigh at least 50 kilograms. Donors should bring a photo ID with their PESEL number. Before donating, they are advised to: drink about 2 litres of fluids (water or juice) during the previous 24 hours, get enough sleep and be well rested, eat a light meal, avoid fatty foods where possible, limit smoking and avoid alcohol, including on the day before donation.

Blood donation is completely safe, as only sterile, single-use equipment is used, eliminating any risk of infection from blood-borne viruses. A visit to the mobile donation unit begins with completing a questionnaire, registration, a small blood sample and a medical examination. The blood collection itself takes approximately 5-10 minutes. In most cases, one unit of whole blood (450 ml) is collected. Afterwards, donors rest for around 15 minutes before receiving a light refreshment in the form of chocolate and juice.

The Regional Blood Donation and Blood Treatment Centre’s mobile unit will be parked outside the Marshal’s Office in Toruń on Thursday, 16 July, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Further blood donation sessions at the same location in 2026 are scheduled for:

• 20 August
• 17 September
• 15 October
• 19 November
• 17 December

According to the Statistical Office in Bydgoszcz, the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region has more than 33,000 voluntary blood donors, representing nearly 2 per cent of the region’s population.

Blood donation campaign at the Marshal’s Office – key facts:

• More than 33,000 voluntary blood donors live in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region.
• The mobile blood donation unit visits the Marshal’s Office every third Thursday of the month.
• Blood can be donated between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• Eligible donors are healthy adults aged 18-65 weighing at least 50 kg.
• Blood collection takes approximately 5-10 minutes, with 450 ml of whole blood collected in most cases.

Related reading:

Blood – Irreplaceable and Essential – an interview with Katarzyna Gągola, Deputy Medical Director of the Regional Blood Donation and Blood Treatment Centre in Bydgoszcz.

Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

14 July 2026