DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost

What DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost does

DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost gemeinnützige GmbH is one of six German Red Cross blood donation services in Germany and operates as a non-profit limited liability company under the DRK umbrella. Founded in the 1950s and headquartered in Dresden, the organization supplies blood, plasma, and platelet products to hospitals and medical practices across five federal states (Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Sachsen, and Schleswig-Holstein), commanding roughly 85% regional market share. It collects approximately 450,000 whole blood donations annually through a hybrid network of eight transfusion medicine institutes, five fixed donation centers, and ~10,000 mobile donation events run by 40 mobile teams, processing more than 1,200 blood products daily on a 24/7 basis. Adjacent services include stem cell donor registry coordination, autologous stem cell therapy, and laboratory services such as blood typing and crossmatching.

The organization is funded primarily through German healthcare system reimbursements for blood products and laboratory services rather than donor fees. Its technology stack centers on conventional digital infrastructure: a Terminreservierungssystem (online appointment reservation), a Digitaler Spenderservice platform with iOS and Android apps, GDPR-compliant donor data management, and a public Blutgruppenbarometer (Blood Type Barometer) showing real-time regional supply by blood type. Marketing and donor acquisition combine the DRK brand, celebrity campaigns (Toni Kroos, Shirin David), the award-winning "missingtype" and "It's a Match" campaigns, an active social/ podcast presence, and a broad CSR partnership program across sports clubs, museums, hotels, and shopping centers. Strategic leadership is provided jointly by Commercial Managing Director Wolfgang Rüstig and Medical Managing Director Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Torsten Tonn, who also holds a Goethe University Frankfurt professorship and leads research on artificial blood at the Dresden institute. The organization forms a consortium with parent DRK-Blutspendedienst Baden-Württemberg – Hessen, jointly covering over 32 million inhabitants and constituting Germany's largest blood service network.

Name

DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost

Legal name

DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost gemeinnützige GmbH

Website

https://blutspende-nordost.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost is a German Red Cross non-profit blood service operating 8 institutes, 5 fixed donation centers, and ~10,000 mobile events annually across Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Sachsen, and Schleswig-Holstein, supplying hospitals with blood, plasma, and stem cell products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blood and Plasma Donation Services

NAICS

Blood and Organ Banks (621991)

akta.pro primary industry

Blood, Organ & Tissue Donation Organizations (BPAGACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transfusion Medicine & Immunohematology (Blood Bank) (HLAFAMAG), Plasma Collection & Donor Services (Plasmapheresis Centers) (HLAIAHAH), Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine LIS (HLACAMAE)

Keywords

• Blood donation services
• Plasma donation apheresis
• Transfusion medicine
• Stem cell donor registry
• Blood product supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Dresden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Blood Product Supply to Healthcare Facilities: As a nonprofit organization, the DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost supplies blood products to clinics and medical practices. The service operates as part of the German Red Cross charitable mission and is funded through healthcare system reimbursements for blood products and related services.
2. Laboratory Services: Laboratory services for hospitals and medical practices including blood typing, crossmatching, and other transfusion-related testing.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The organization collects whole blood, plasma, and platelets through a network of fixed institutes, donation centers, and mobile teams, then processes and supplies these blood products to hospitals and medical practices. It also operates a stem cell donor registry and provides laboratory services such as blood typing and crossmatching. Donor-facing digital platforms support appointment booking, donor history access, and supply-level transparency via a real-time blood-type barometer.

Product overview

DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost operates as a non-profit blood donation service organization providing blood and plasma collection across five German states. The core offering consists of whole blood donation and plasma donation services, supplemented by stem cell donor registry coordination. The service operates through a network of eight Institutes for Transfusion Medicine and five fixed blood donation centers, complemented by approximately 10,000 mobile blood donation events annually. The digital infrastructure includes the Digitaler Spenderservice platform and Terminreservierungssystem for appointment management, along with the Blutspende-Magazin for donor communication. Medical professionals can access continuing education through the Fort- und Weiterbildung program. The Blutspendebarometer provides public visibility into current blood supply levels by blood type.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Team Lebensretter: Campaign to recruit new blood donors and first-time donors
• missingtype
• It's a Match

Products and services

• Blutspende (Blood Donation) Core whole blood donation service where healthy adult volunteers donate approximately 500 ml of blood at mobile donation events or permanent donation centers, with the donated blood processed into life-saving blood products for hospital patients.
• Plasmaspende (Plasma Donation) Plasma donation service where plasma is collected through apheresis and used for manufacturing blood products and immunoglobin therapies.
• Stammzellspende (Stem Cell Donation) Stem cell donor registry service that matches potential donors with patients requiring stem cell transplants for treatment of blood cancers and other diseases.
• Laboratory Services for Hospitals and Medical Practices Laboratory services for hospitals and medical practices including blood typing, crossmatching, and other transfusion-related testing.
• Fort- und Weiterbildung (Medical Training) Continuing education programs for medical professionals including courses in transfusion medicine, hemotherapy working groups, and laboratory training sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supplies 85% of blood product needs in service region
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Seidel WohnweltminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFurniture store in Lößnitz ( Erzgebirge) partnered with DRK for blood donation events. First joint event on November 7, 2022 at Erzgebirgshalle. Seidel Wohnwelt provides venue and promotes event to customers. Gift certificates and discount coupons offered to donors.
• Centrovital Hotel-Spa-SportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel-Spa-Sport facility in Berlin-Spandau hosted first blood donation event on August 13, 2022. Plans to host regular blood donation events. Provided lunch packages and travel mugs as thank-you gifts for donors.
• Sysmex Partec GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical technology company in Görlitz has organized blood donation as annual calendar event since 2018. June 2022 campaign: donors mentioning 'Sysmex' received restaurant vouchers. Goal of at least 100 blood donations. Company supports with employee participation and community outreach.
• Kaufmännische Krankenkasse (kkk)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner allowing employees to donate blood during working hours. Management recognizes importance of quick and unbureaucratic assistance, supporting CSR blood donation initiatives.
• Ricoh DeutschlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOffice equipment company supports blood donation as part of corporate social responsibility. Employees can donate during working hours. Ricoh views social responsibility as core company value.
• FC St. PauliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHamburg football club supports blood donation at Millerntor-Stadion. Multiple successful blood donation events held at the stadium. Third event planned as part of ongoing partnership.
• Potsdam RoyalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman Football League (GFL) champions support blood donation campaigns. May-June 2024 campaign: donors received two tickets for games. Joint efforts to promote blood donation in Berlin and Potsdam regions.
• Sysmex Partec GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical technology company in Görlitz partnered for 'Team Lebensretter' (Team Lifesaver) campaign to recruit first-time donors. June 2022 campaign goal: at least 100 blood donations. Outdoor equipment prize for bringing first-time donors.
• Schloss NetzschkauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric castle venue for annual 'Krimineller Aderlass' (Criminal Bloodletting) blood donation event as part of Vogtländische Krimitage (Crime Literature Days). Event held on World Blood Donor Day (June 14).
• Brandenburg Basketball AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew partnership starting 2024 for joint efforts supporting patients in Brandenburg. Round collaboration to start the new year together.
• Globus, OBI, Globus-GaststätteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail partners at Glück-Auf-Center in Zwickau support summer blood donation events. Globus provides refreshments, OBI provides venue support, and Globus-Gaststätte offers post-donation meals for donors.
• Toni KroosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCelebrity supporter of DRK blood donation campaigns. Featured in 2024 campaigns to raise awareness about blood donation importance during major events year.
• Shirin DavidminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCelebrity supporter of DRK blood donation campaigns. Featured in 2024 campaigns to increase visibility of blood donation among younger audiences.
• Galerie Roter Turm ChemnitzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShopping center hosts Saxony's largest blood donation action twice yearly (April and October). 41st marathon event April 2024. Previous event collected 1,155 blood donations. Center provides thank-you gifts including movie tickets and shopping vouchers.
• Centrum Galerie DresdenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShopping center in Dresden hosts blood donation center opened August 2021, celebrating 2nd anniversary in 2023 and 3rd anniversary in 2024. Regular themed events and birthday celebrations for donors.
• Hilton Hotel DresdenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury hotel hosts blood donation events, second event held October 2024. Provides elegant venue for donor appreciation.
• August Horch Museum ZwickauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomobile museum hosts regular blood donation events. Donors receive museum entry vouchers. Supports patient care in the region.
• Verkehrsmuseum DresdenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTransportation museum hosted blood donation event April 11, 2024. Second annual event. Donors received free museum entry tickets.
• Opernhaus ChemnitzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOpera house hosted first-ever blood donation event April 3, 2024. Theaters Chemnitz provided discount coupons for selected performances as donor thank-you.
• Schloss LübbenauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric castle venue for recognition ceremonies honoring long-term blood donors (100+ donations). Brandenburg Health Minister and DRK medical director present awards.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation: Non-profit Dutch national blood bank operating under a similar Red Cross-adjacent humanitarian model with voluntary donations, fixed centers, mobile collection, and laboratory services. Comparable on mission, non-profit structure, and integrated laboratory service offering, though serving the Netherlands rather than Germany.
• American Red Cross Biomedical Services: U.S. non-profit blood services arm of the American Red Cross — the closest international analogue to DRK-NO with similar Red Cross humanitarian branding, voluntary donor model, fixed centers plus mobile collection, and integrated laboratory services.
• CSL Plasma (CSL Behring): World's largest plasma collection network (part of CSL Behring). Operates paid plasma donation centers globally including in Germany; comparable on collection model and donor experience though not a Red Cross non-profit and structured as a commercial operation.
• NHS Blood and Transplant: UK's national non-profit health service blood and transplant organization. Comparable on non-profit public-sector blood collection, donor management, and supply to hospitals, though operating at national scale within the NHS framework rather than as a regional DRK entity.

Others

• University Hospital Transfusion Medicine Departments (Charité, Uniklinik Dresden, UKE Hamburg): Hospital-based transfusion medicine institutes within major university hospitals in DRK-NO's service region that perform autologous and allogeneic collection for in-house use. Adjacent players supplying captive hospital demand rather than competing on the open market.

Direct peers

• BRK Blutspendedienst (Bavarian Red Cross Blood Service): One of the six German Red Cross blood services, operating in Bavaria under the same DRK non-profit model with fixed institutes, mobile collection, and donor management. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and donor acquisition approach; serves as a regional peer in an adjacent state.
• Haema AG (Grifols): Germany's largest private blood and plasma donation operator, owned by Spanish plasma-products group Grifols. Operates fixed donor centers competing directly for the same donor pool, with extended hours and compensation — strongest commercial competitor in plasma collection.
• DRK-Blutspendedienst Baden-Württemberg – Hessen: Parent organization and consortium partner operating the parallel DRK blood service in Baden-Württemberg and Hessen; together with DRK-NO forms the largest blood service network in Germany covering 32M+ inhabitants. Operates the same Red Cross non-profit donation model, institute structure, and digital services — directly comparable on operating model and scale.

Broad incumbents

• Octapharma Plasma: Global plasma-derived therapeutics company with its own plasma collection center network in Europe. Comparable on donor collection operations (paid donors in commercial centers) but primarily a manufacturer — competes for donor attention and raw plasma supply.
• Biotest AG: German plasma-derived therapeutics manufacturer that operates its own plasma collection network (Plasma Service Europe) in addition to manufacturing immunoglobulin and clotting factor products. Adjacent in the value chain — sources plasma from donors, comparable on the plasma collection side though focused on manufacturing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoUnCFKJ4M8MSeoUxxTCBtQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/drk.blutspendedienst.nordost
• Instagraminstagram.com/meineblutspende
• Xx.com/roteskreuz_de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/drk-blutspendedienst-nord-ost

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost