Every day, 1,000 to 1,100 units of blood are needed. As such, keeping reserves at stable levels is essential to saving lives. However, stocks of blood groups A and O positive and negative are almost at their limit, according to the Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation and the federation of donors, who are calling for urgent donations in view of the shortage of reserves.

DECO - Portuguese Association for Consumer Defense reminds people that "from the age of 18, all healthy people, with a minimum weight of 50 kilos, are eligible to donate blood". The entire donation process, which includes registration, clinical screening, collection and meal, takes about 30 minutes. All you have to do is go to a blood collection location and identify yourself with a valid identification document with a photograph, such as your citizen card.

You can find a list of donations sites in Portugal here.