A gesture full of life with tribute in the Rioja Parliament

Donors have altruism in their veins. Their generosity saves thousands of lives every year and the Parliament of La Rioja wanted to recognize those who have reached a significant number of donations.

In total, 52 have been honored. Among them is Jesús Ezquerro, a Pradejonero who he donated for 30 years. “A coworker who was a Red Cross delegate insisted to me and, once I started, I didn’t stop,” explained Jesús. Another illustrious donor is Felipe Mozún, who gave his arm 80 times, adding 36 liters of blood. “I didn’t go for a while, but then I started again because I saw that it was necessary,” said Felipe.

These two Riojans donated until they were 65 years old, the maximum age allowed. They are part of the thousands of citizens who selflessly collaborate with the Blood Bank every year. Currently, La Rioja has about 7,000 active donors, a figure that is enough to cover the needs of the community, although it is necessary to increase the frequency of donations. This is how Carlos Sosa, director of the Blood Bank, explained it: “We have to start worrying that those 7,000 people are coming less and less often.” According to the data provided, only 50% of people go more than once a year, and to reverse that trend, Sosa proposes a simple but effective strategy. «You have to set two dates a year to go and donate, the month of your birthday and six months later, they are two moments that are different for each person and would help us maintain the Bank’s levels, without the need to do more. appeals,” he indicated.

In 2023, 9,254 donations were recorded in La Rioja and so far in 2024, 3,911 donations have been registered, according to data published by the Blood Bank. Marta Fernández, president of Parliament, highlighted during the delivery of diplomas that “last month was the best May of the last four years and, seeing the evolution, everything indicates that surely at the end of the year we will be close to 10,000 donations again.” ». A prediction that will be well received if it comes true, since the information provided by the Ministry of Health places La Rioja in the queue in donation rates, with an average index of 29.21 per 1,000 inhabitants, a figure that is below of the national average which stands at 35.4.

Every contribution is necessary and raising awareness among the younger population is essential. Rubén Martínez, a veteran donor with 40 years of experience, is an example of commitment. In addition to convincing his wife and his daughter to join the cause, he also has plans to introduce his son, who is now turning 18, the minimum age allowed to donate, to this beautiful work. The recognition carried out by Parliament on World Donor Day highlights the need to maintain the altruistic spirit of the people of Rioja to ensure that blood reserves in the community are sufficient.