On Friday, the steelworkers increased blood supplies for those who need it by 25 liters. 57 donors, two of whom were first-time donors, participated in the Metallurgical Drop of Blood, which took place in our Entrance Area at the polyclinic of the AGEL Košice – Šaca Hospital.

Marek Ujco was the first to sit in the sampling chair. He donated blood for the 97th time, not only in Slovakia, but also twice in the Czech Republic.

Elena Bohunická má Diamantovú plaketu Jana Janského za 60 odberov, po ktorých si dala pauzu. Tohtoročnej Hutníckej kvapke však neodolala a krv darovala 61. raz. Priznala, že aj preto, aby z vyšetrení, ktoré odberu predchádzajú zistila, či je zdravá. Darcovstvo berie ako samozrejmú súčasť života, príkladom jej bola mamka a brat je takisto pravidelným darcom.

The Gabáni family also has donations in the family. Although Dana Gabániová could not join, her two sons and daughter did not hesitate and planned their donations so that they could come to Steelmakers' drop of blood. At the transfusion department, they know them by name, they come regularly. Both sons have donated blood more than 30 times and the daughter 19 times.

Miroslav Čajka also "raised" new blood among donors. He brought his daughter to the event, who became a regular donor, following the example of her father. She also lured colleagues in her work to donate.

When asked why Martin Lörinc is sitting in the donors' chair for the 73rd time, he replied as follows: "I take it as a moral duty. I have the opportunity and I'm healthy, so I always come."

Karol Redvai donated blood for the 17th time, and the fact that his colleague's son needed blood also contributed to becoming a regular donor.

Blood and plasma are donated by Monika Šipošová. Why? "To help," was the simple answer of the 32-time donor.

Miroslav Feťko "pumped" blood for the 116th time and the next day he was already working on a part-time job with other volunteers on the Children's Railway. Likewise, Michal Tančák, whenever he can, comes to Steelmakers' drop  and works on the railway on Saturdays.

Many others who came to the collection on Friday worked the next day in one of the locations that are part of our Volunteer Days. Marián Berčík in the ZOO, Peter Tulenko and Mária Kurucová in CDR Hurbanova, Peter Chytil in the Botanical Garden.

Many said that they don't even count the number of donations anymore. Some say that they are here "only" for the 17th time, "only" for the 8th time... Donation is not about numbers, if you should donate blood only once in your life, that also counts. A big thank you goes to all of you who came to the Steelmakers' Drop of blood and come to the transfusion department at other times. You give the most precious thing you can.

Thanks also go to the medical staff who took care of the smooth course of the collections. The head of the department, Annamária Bratková, is grateful that you have replenished blood supplies for patients who need it.

You can donate blood at any time. The Hematology and Transfusion Department of the AGEL Hospital Košice - Šaca at the VA US Steel Polyclinic is available to donors on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Fotogaléria: Arpád Köteles