Tejina Blood Donation Drive Hits Record High to Combat Seasonal Shortages

Residents of Tejina, Tenerife, have developed a successful blood donation model that helps overcome the seasonal shortages often faced by the Canary Islands' healthcare system. The latest "Nectar of Life" campaign, held during the town’s "Fiestas de los Corazones," saw a record 329 people sign up to donate, with 269 successfully completing the process—the highest turnout to date.

The campaign’s success is driven by a friendly competition between three local neighborhoods: Calle Arriba, Calle Abajo, and El Pico. This year, Calle Arriba led the way with 121 participants, followed by Calle Abajo with 118 and El Pico with 90. This approach not only boosted turnout but also attracted 29 first-time donors, an 11% increase over last year.

This initiative is vital for the Canary Institute of Hemodonation and Hemotherapy (ICHH), which typically sees blood donations drop by 30% to 35% during the summer as regular donors go on holiday. By bringing mobile collection units directly into the community, the campaign helps stabilize blood supplies during this critical time.

Across the Canary Islands, the first half of 2026 saw a positive trend, with total donations rising by 2.14% to 25,609 units. While this growth is encouraging, the goal remains to reach full self-sufficiency, and organizers are already aiming to exceed 300 successful donations in Tejina by 2027.

To keep supplies steady, the healthcare system continues to send mobile units across Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Tenerife. Donors must be between 18 and 65 years old, weigh at least 50 kilograms, and be in good general health. The next donation event in Tejina is scheduled for early January to ensure supplies remain stable after the holiday season.