The Hungarian Post aims to draw attention to the importance of voluntary blood donation through the issuance of a new commemorative stamp, as stated by Vice President of the Board of Directors of Magyar Posta (Hungarian Post) Ltd Sára Nemes Hegmanné during the stamp’s release on Monday in Budapest.
‘Without voluntary blood donation, the smooth operation of healthcare would be inconceivable,’ the Vice President emphasized, adding that the use of blood products is essential for numerous medical procedures, and these products can only be obtained through blood donations.
To ensure an adequate supply of blood products for the Hungarian healthcare system,
it would require at least 1600–1800 donors daily, or a minimum of one donor per minute,
she stressed. She mentioned that the Hungarian Red Cross has been responsible for recruiting voluntary blood donors for 85 years, and they have partnered with the stamp issuance, organizing blood donations at the headquarters of the Hungarian Post for this occasion.
Sára Nemes Hegmanné explained that from the 450 millilitres of blood collected by the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service (HNBTS), three types of blood products are produced, the use of which can potentially save the lives of three individuals. ‘As one of the largest employers in Hungary, the Hungarian Post considers it particularly important to support important causes for Hungarian society, and there can be no cause more important than our lives,’ she added. The Vice President highlighted that they inform more than 21,000 of their employees and their families about the significance of blood donation several times a year and regularly organize blood donation events.
Director General of the Hungarian Red Cross István Kardos emphasized that they organize around ten thousand blood donation events annually in collaboration with the HNBTS. They celebrate World Blood Donor Day by planting blood maple or blood plum trees, symbolizing blood donation, as depicted on the stamp, thus paying tribute to the social role of voluntary blood donors.
Deputy Director General of the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service Sándor Nagy stated that their institution supplies blood to 100 hospitals in Hungary, and
thanks to their work and the voluntary blood donors, approximately 1000 people receive blood daily.
He added that last year, voluntary donors provided around 355,000 units of blood.
The commemorative stamp was designed by graphic artist Nóra Horváth and produced in 40,000 copies. Its central motif is the logo of blood donation, framed by the leaves of the blood maple. The commemorative envelope features a graphical composition referring to blood donation. The imprint of the first-day postmark on the commemorative envelope bears the blood donation logo. The Blood Donation stamps are available from Monday at Filaposta, philatelic service points, select post offices, and the Hungarian Post’s webshop.
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