Bamberg Blood Donors Honored for Lifesaving Contributions

The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) district association in Bamberg recently honored individuals for their repeated blood donations, recognizing their vital contributions to the region’s healthcare system. The ceremony, held at the BRK rescue center in Bamberg, celebrated donors who have given blood between 50 and 225 times.

Record Blood Donations in 2025

Holger Dremel, MdL, chairman of the BRK district association in Bamberg, and Oliver Nelkel, district manager, welcomed guests and highlighted the impact of blood donations. In 2025, a total of 5,513 donors contributed approximately 2,757 liters of blood at 23 donation events held in Bamberg, Bischberg, Hallstadt, and Oberhaid. Since the beginning of blood donation efforts in these locations, a cumulative total of 285,483 donors have provided around 142,742 liters of blood.

The Critical Require for Blood Donations

Dr. Oliver Kuckein, head of intensive care medicine at the Steigerwald Clinic in Burgebrach, delivered a lecture emphasizing the ongoing importance of blood donation. He noted that approximately 2,000 units of blood are needed daily in Bavaria, with the BRK’s blood donation service covering up to 75 percent of that demand. A single blood donation can potentially help up to three patients battling conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or kidney disease, and remains crucial for individuals undergoing surgery or recovering from accidents.

Honoring Dedicated Donors

Dremel, along with first deputy chairman Klaus Schulz and managing director Oliver Nelkel, presented certificates of honor and pins to the recognized donors.

Honorees

• 50 Donations: Jürgen Adler, Johann Bayer, Heike Brehm, Ottmar Dechant, Elisabeth Eberlein, Brian Eichholz, Monika Flanse, Marcel Frehde, Annemarie Greve, Johannes Heindl, Zuzana Kuck, Dieter Putzer, Matthias Schmitt, Björn Thomsen, Gabriele Weiner (Bamberg); Tobias Knob-lach (Bischberg); Philipp Konarski, Andrea Streussloff, Bernhard Wiechert (Hallstadt); Christian Koch, Alexander Neuss (Oberhaid); Michael Burkard, Jörg Wanko (Stegaurach).
• 75 Donations: Norbert Einwich, Jürgen Scharf, Manfred Steger, Alexander Zankl (Bamberg); Klaus Motschenbacher (Bischberg); Günter Erhard (Stegaurach).
• 100 Donations: Roland Benz, Andreas Brandl, Karin Düll, Thomas Fleischmann (Bamberg); Manfred Bauer, Georg Börschel (Hallstadt); Christian Kummer (Litzendorf); Johannes Popp (Oberhaid).
• 125 Donations: Sigmund Groh, Bernhard Lorenz, Marianne Schwanzl (Bamberg); Stephen Goldfarb (Hallstadt).
• 150 Donations: Karl Heinz Eichfelder, Bernhard Weber (Bamberg); Peter Pflaum (Hallstadt); Erhard Gröhling (Memmelsdorf).
• 175 Donations: Johannes Bedruna, Wolfgang Emmerling (Bamberg).
• 200 Donations: Andreas Kaiser (Bamberg); Karl Deusel (Oberhaid); Harald Marsing (Knetzgau).
• 225 Donations: Gerhard Geber (Bamberg).

Recognizing Volunteer Efforts

The event also acknowledged the contributions of volunteers who support blood donation efforts by providing care and refreshments to donors at donation appointments. Chairman Dremel expressed gratitude for their “outstanding commitment to the service of humanity.”

Holger Dremel currently serves as the Kreisvorsitzender (district chairman) of the Bavarian Red Cross for the city and district of Bamberg, responsible for over 10,000 members (holger-dremel.de). He was also recently re-elected for another four-year term (kvbamberg.brk.de, webecho-bamberg.de).