Big blood donation campaign opens in the SCS – voucher for first-time donors!

Big blood donation campaign opens in the SCS – voucher for first-time donors!

A fresh wind is blowing through Westfield Shopping City South! On October 4, 2025, a pop-up blood donation center was opened there by the Red Cross. The central location between IKEA and C&A makes the new blood donation location particularly attractive for young people. This initiative aims not only to increase the willingness of the population to donate, but also to make blood donations more accessible and appealing.

In Austria, around 1,000 blood units are required every day to ensure medical care. Therefore, the opening of this flexible and welcoming blood donation center is of great importance. The SCS provides the space free of charge, which is a sign of support for local health initiatives. Anyone who decides to donate can look forward to a few special features. There will be a voucher raffle at the opening for the first 100 participants - a good incentive to stop by right away!

Opening times and conditions of participation

Blood donation takes place Monday to Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., and starting in December, Saturday donors can also donate their time. Participation is open to all healthy people between the ages of 18 and 70 who meet the necessary health and legal requirements. For first-time donors, there are also some special criteria that should be taken into account: You must not have reached the age of 60 at the time of your first donation and you must have a minimum weight of 50 kg.

It is also important that you feel fit and healthy before donating. An official photo ID – whether a driver’s license, passport or ID card – should not be forgotten. In order to make the blood donation process as pleasant as possible, it is recommended to arrive an hour before the end of the campaign and to drink and eat enough. Comfortable, loose clothing is also a practical choice for donation.

Tips for donation

For many people, the idea of ​​donating blood can be a bit challenging. Here are a few tips from the Red Cross: Deep and controlled breathing can help reduce nervousness. Additionally, it is completely okay not to look while your blood is being drawn. Distraction by employees is offered and can be a pleasant way to cope with the situation. If you feel unsafe, you are welcome to bring a trusted person with you for support.

The Red Cross encourages everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to help while focusing on their health. Together we can make a difference – and every drop counts! If you would like to find out more about the conditions of participation, you can find further information on the [Red Cross] website (https://www.roteskreuz.at/blut/service/erstspenderinnenseite).

The opening of the blood donation center in the SCS, alongside the simultaneous opening in the Düsseldorf Arcaden, is part of a broader movement aimed at mobilizing the population to donate blood and finding new ways to promote this Düsseldorf Aktuell.

Take advantage of the opportunity and become part of this important health initiative in Vienna! Maybe it's your blood that makes the difference for someone else.