Austria currently lacks over 5,000 blood units. On Thursday afternoon at Rossauer Kaserne in Vienna, Peter Kaiser, Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Red Cross, and Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) highlighted the shortfall during the Defense Ministry’s biannual blood‐drive. “Our blood reserves are extremely low—we need every single donation,” Kaiser urged.

“We call on all Austrians to show solidarity and donate blood. You may one day depend on a donation yourself,” Kaiser added. “Our soldiers and civilian staff lead by example,” Tanner said. This year, the military has scheduled 135 blood drives across all nine states.

Donations drop sharply in summer as many are on holiday, yet demand remains high: every 90 seconds Austria needs a blood unit for surgeries, emergencies, and chronic care. June’s updated donor‐eligibility rules enhance safety but restrict donation frequency for many. “It’s more important than ever to motivate young people to give,” the Red Cross stressed.

Who Can Donate
Anyone aged 18–70 (new donors until 60), in good health and meeting legal criteria, may give blood. Donors need a valid ID and some time.