Shed blood on the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising

Nearly 30 cities across Poland, including more than a dozen in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, are participating in a unique blood donation drive called "Spill Blood on the Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising." Organized by the Witold Pilecki Patriotic Foundation, the event aims not only to commemorate the Warsaw Uprising but also to meet the real need for blood during the summer holidays.

This year marks the 81st anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising. On August 1, 1944, thousands of Warsaw residents fought an unequal battle against the German occupiers. Today, as a gesture of solidarity and patriotism, you can visit a blood donation center and donate your own blood.

In the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, the action will take place, among others, in: Szczecin – July 31 and August 1, 7:15 AM - 1:15 PM, Regional Center for Blood Donation and Blood Treatment, al. Wojska Polskiego 80/82, in Stargard – August 1, 8:45 AM - 12:15 AM, Staszica St. 16, in Koszalin – August 1, 7:45 AM - 11 AM, Chałbińskiego St. 7, in Kołobrzeg – August 1, 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Łopuskiego St. 31, in Drawsko Pomorskie – August 1, 7:30 AM - 11 AM, B. Chrobrego St. 4, in Świnoujście – August 1, 8:00 AM - 11 AM, Mieszka I St. 4, in Gryfino – August 14, 7.30-11.30, B. Chrobrego Street 52, in Chociwel – August 2, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at the sports hall, Dąbrowskiego Street 15, in Dziwnów – August 22-23, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., during the Commando Festival, Alley of Sports Stars.

At each of these locations, blood donors will be met by medical teams and given a unique T-shirt with the symbol of Fighting Poland and the inscription: "I shed blood on the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising." The T-shirts are being distributed as a form of thanks and patriotic recognition.

The campaign is taking place simultaneously in more than a dozen other Polish cities, including Warsaw, Poznań, Kraków, Łódź, Zamość, Częstochowa, Rzeszów, and Olsztyn. In many of these cities, it is accompanied by patriotic events and outdoor encounters with history.

The nationwide blood drive was initiated by the Witold Pilecki Patriotic Foundation, and partners include the Małych Feet Foundation and numerous "Legion" blood donor clubs. The campaign is also supported by regional blood donation centers, community organizations, and volunteers.

Summer is a particularly challenging time for blood donation centers. Donor numbers decline, while demand for blood, especially due to accidents, increases. Therefore, the drive, taking place at the turn of July and August, has not only a symbolic dimension but also a purely practical one.

"During the war, insurgents shed their blood for the freedom of our homeland. Today, we can donate blood to save the lives of others. It's a beautiful and tangible way to show respect for history and concern for the present," the organizers emphasize.

More information and a detailed schedule can be found on the Facebook event page: Spill blood on the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising.

(dg)