Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Red Cross Flanders opened its 1st Ostend donor centre in 2025. Spokesperson Vincent Verbeecke aims to collect 8,000 plasma and 2,000 blood donations annually, serving residents and tourists.
As VRT News reported, the Red Cross Flanders has opened its 1st donor centre on the Belgian coast in Ostend. The facility is aimed at increasing blood and plasma donations during the summer months. Spokesperson Vincent Verbeecke said that collecting donations in summer is difficult because many regular donors are on holiday.
What makes Ostend’s 1st Red Cross donor Centre vital for 2025?
The new donor centre in Ostend has 7 beds for plasma collection and 3 beds for blood donation. The centre will be staffed by 5 people: a team leader, 2 collection assistants, and 2 nurses. A physician will also be present at all times to supervise the donations and ensure donor safety.
The Flemish Red Cross has set clear targets for the Ostend donor centre. By 2025, it aims to collect more than 4,000 plasma donations, averaging 1,000 per month from September to December, along with 950 blood donations.
From 2026 onwards, the centre expects to reach a steady annual collection of 8,000 plasma donations and 2,000 blood donations, totalling 10,000 donations each year. The centre is located at Northlaan 13. It is open on weekdays, and appointments can be made online or by calling the free number 0800 777 00.
Plasma is the yellow liquid component of blood and contains components such as immunoglobulins (or antibodies) that are key components of the immune system. Plasma is used in the treatment of those with burns, immune deficiencies, and other cancers.
It can also be processed into medicines that save lives. The demand for plasma has grown steadily in recent years. The Red Cross Flanders wants to reduce reliance on imported plasma and increase local donations.
The Flemish Red Cross has steadily expanded its network of donor centres across Flanders over the past 2 decades. The first centre in Antwerp opened in 2005, followed by a facility in Ghent in 2010 and another in Leuven in 2015.
The centres were established to enhance local blood and plasma donation and to lessen reliance on imports. Each of the centres features multiple collection beds and staff who have received training. A physician is present at each centre to provide medical oversight for the collection and to guarantee the safety of the donors.
