Croatian Red Cross established non-remunerated blood donation in Croatia. First blood drive was organized on October 25, 1953 in Sisak. Blood donation organized by the Croatian Red Cross is voluntary, anonymous, and non-remunerated act of solidarity.



Croatian Red Cross is the leading promoter and organizer of blood donation in Croatia; takes special care of voluntary blood donors, who are at the same time CRC members, and establishes unique rewarding system. Transfusion services collect, test and process blood.

Local Red Cross branches organize blood drives at place of work, schooling or residence of donors. During the last few years the number of yearly collected blood units was about 160,000 which is 3,5 blood donations per 100 inhabitants. About 15 per cent of voluntary blood donors are women, and 85 per cent are men. 11 per cent are new blood donors.

Results cannot be measured in the same way in all Croatian regions because many factors influence blood donation, for example: demographical, economical, cultural, traditional and similar. In order to meet needs for blood and blood products for the whole territory, Croatia has developed blood donation system managed with the help of Croatian Red Cross.

The only source of blood as medicine is human being – blood donor. This is the reason why blood makes an invaluable national commodity and at certain times a strategic material as well.