Karl-Heinz Burkart is one of the money people who regularly donates blood at the Red Cross in Oberursel.
What makes him unusual is that he lives in Bad Homburg, and so theoretically he could donate there. But instead he comes to Oberursel, because, as he said recently “I like it here”.
In November 2013 he made his 125th donation, and by way of thanks was presented with a calling card box engraved with his name, a certificate, a pin with the number 125 and a hamper.
Karl-Heinz Burkart with Red Cross Volunteers Christine Schöck (left), Heike Wick and Michaela Tappenden (right)
Anyone who is in good health and between 18 and 71 years old can donate blood, although you must not be older than 64 to donate for the first time. To make sure that there are no complications, a doctor checks the health of all donors in advance. The blood donation itself only takes a few minutes, but the whole process of registration, check-up, and the snack afterwards can take around an hour.
That hour can save lives, because in Hessen alone 5,500 people must donate blood each week in order to create sufficient supplies for the hospitals in the area.
The blood donation in Oberursel takes place on the 2nd Saturday in each month at the Red Cross building at Marxstraße 28 between 1pm and 6pm. A further two appointments take place each year at the fire brigade in Weißkirchen, the next one being on Boxing Day (26th December) between 1pm and 5pm.
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