Locarno Blood Service to Close on June 24: Where to Donate Now (cross-border guide)

Context

TL;DR

• Locarno Blood Transfusion Service closes June 24, 2026.
• Closure due to decreased revenue from blood sales.
• Alternative donation site at Losone, limited availability.
• Cross-border workers face travel challenges for donations.

Key facts

• Data chiusura: 24 giugno 2026
• Motivo chiusura: Riduzione ricavi da vendita componenti sanguigni
• Sede alternativa: Centro La Torre, Losone, un martedì al mese
• Donatori cross-border: Circa 30% dei donatori regolari
• Impatto emergenze: Rischio ritardi nelle trasfusioni d'urgenza
• Documentazione Italia: Carta d'identità e modulo sanitario richiesti
• Costi aggiuntivi: Trasporto e permessi di lavoro potrebbero essere necessari
• Campagne sensibilizzazione: Croce Rossa Ticinese per promuovere donazioni

The Blood Transfusion Service of Locarno will close its doors on June 24, 2026. The decision, reached after four years of internal evaluations, has been officially communicated by the hospital director. The main reason is the significant decrease in revenue from the sale of blood components outside the Canton Ticino. According to the information, the income is no longer sufficient to cover the management costs of the structure, forcing the entity to reduce its activities.

The choice was not easy, as highlighted by the Ticinese Red Cross: It is a choice made after four years of reflection and comparisons, said a spokesperson for the organization. The Blood Transfusion Service of Locarno was a reference point for donors in the region, especially for those living in the Locarno area and its surroundings. The news has already sparked discontent among the local population, accustomed to a capillary and accessible service.

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Operational details

The closure of the Locarno Blood Transfusion Service forces residents of the Locarno area and cross-border workers employed in the region to reorganize their habits. The partial solution offered by the La Torre Centre in Losone — which will welcome donors one Tuesday per month — is a compromise, but it does not resolve the issue for those who require frequent or emergency donations.

Before vs after: what changes for cross-border workers

Until 24 June 2026, cross-border workers employed in Locarno, Ascona, Minusio, or Brissago could donate blood at the city’s Transfusion Service, often during their lunch break or after work. The facility was easily accessible, with flexible hours and streamlined procedures for non-residents.

After the closure, cross-border workers will have two main options:

1. Visit the La Torre Centre in Losone: open one Tuesday per month, but with limited hours and none of the same accessibility as the former service. For those working in Locarno or nearby areas, the trip may be manageable, but for those living or working in more distant locations, the solution becomes less practical.

2. Travel to other centres: donors can turn to the Bellinzona Transfusion Service, the Lugano Blood Transfusion Centre, or facilities in Lombardy such as Varese Hospital. However, these trips involve additional costs (transport, potential work permits) and longer travel times.

Impact on emergency medical care

🚨 The greatest risk concerns emergency transfusions. The Locarno Transfusion Service was a key point for blood donations in cases of accidents or urgent surgeries. With its closure, pressure will shift to other Ticino centres, which may not be able to immediately absorb the increased demand.

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Key points

From 24 June 2026, those wishing to donate blood in the Locarno area will have to contact the La Torre Center in Losone, the only partial alternative facility active in the area. Here is the step-by-step procedure to adapt to change without inconvenience.

Step 1: Check your eligibility Before you go to the La Torre Center, make sure you are eligible to donate. The main requirements are: - Age between 18 and 69 years (for donors on the first donation, the limit is 60 years). - Body weight greater than 50 kg. - Good general health. - Not having taken medication in the days prior to the donation.

You can check all the requirements on the Croce Rossa ticinese website.

Step 2: Book your donation The La Torre Center in Losone will welcome donors one Tuesday a month. To avoid queues or inconvenience, reservations are required through the Ticino Red Cross website or by calling the number [not yet specified]. Reservations will open one week before the scheduled date.

Please note: the dates will not be fixed but communicated at least 30 days in advance. We recommend that you subscribe to the Ticino Red Cross newsletter to receive real-time updates.

Step 3: Documents Needed When donating, you will need to submit:

• A valid form of identification (Swiss identity card, passport or residence permit).
• The health self-certification form completed in advance (downloadable on the Red Cross website).
• If you are a cross-border commuter, the G or L work permit, which certifies your residence in Italy but employment in Switzerland.

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