The country’s main hospitals are holding a new edition of the blood donation marathon from 8 to 15 January. Under the slogan “Join Generation D” (D for donor), the campaign aims to encourage new donors to discover the positive experience of giving blood.

The campaign adopts a videogame theme and includes some gaming elements. All donors will become part of the “Generation D” and get a badge according to where they are in their blood donation history:

• Rookies, giving blood for the first time
• Experts, who have given blood or plasma between 5 and 25 times
• Masters, who have donated more than 25 times
• Legends, who have donated more than 50 times

Even those who do not meet the requisites for giving blood can become part of the “Generation D” by promoting the campaign and encourage those close to them to take part. People under 18 can join in too by picking up an insignia indicating they are future donors.

Life-saving blood supplies have been affected significantly with the eruption of Covid. With schools and universities closed and employees working from home, it has not been possible to organise festive events to attract new donors. New donors numbered 30,000 a year on average before the pandemic, but that number has dropped to just 15,000 in the last two years.

Find full information on how to participate in the Marató de Donants de Sang de Catalunya.