The Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) collected more than 2 million units of blood donations in the first eight months of 2026, with donations increasing by 7.7% during the summer despite the seasonal decline typically seen during the holiday period.

The organization, which meets Türkiye’s blood needs through voluntary donations, collected a total of 2,007,440 units between January and August, according to figures released for the first eight months of the year.

Kızılay received 761,040 units in June, July and August, when blood donations generally tend to decline as people go on summer vacations.

The figure marks an increase of 54,678 units compared with the 706,362 units collected during the same period in 2025.

The rise represents a 7.7% year-on-year increase in blood donations during the summer months.

The organization also recorded an increase in the proportion of female blood donors.

Women accounted for 14.47% of donors during the first eight months of 2026, up from 13.39% during the same period last year.

Young people also continued to make up a significant portion of blood donors. In both 2025 and 2026, 20-year-old donors recorded the highest donation rate by age, followed by those aged 21 and 19.

Kızılay President Fatma Meriç Yılmaz said the increase in donations during the summer demonstrated the strong commitment of citizens to voluntary blood donation.

"Blood is a treatment that nothing else can replace,” Yılmaz said.

She said the increase during the summer months, when donations normally decline, shows how strongly citizens have embraced the responsibility of donating blood.

Yılmaz also highlighted the growing participation of young and female donors, saying it indicates that the culture of blood donation is becoming stronger across different segments of society.

"I sincerely thank all our donors who are saving lives,” she said.

Kızılay stressed that blood is not only needed during emergencies but must be supplied continuously throughout the year.

Since blood cannot be stored for long periods, donations collected from volunteers undergo the necessary tests and analyses before being stored and prepared for delivery to hospitals.

The organization therefore aims to maintain a steady level of blood donations 365 days a year to ensure hospitals have sufficient supplies when needed.

Citizens wishing to donate blood can make appointments through Kızılay's website, the Kızılay Mobile Blood Donation application or the organization’s 168 call center and visit their nearest blood donation point.