Dubai: A UAE-based church has responded to the call for blood donors and is organising a three-day campaign beginning Tuesday.
The Dubai Blood Donation Centre at the beginning of this month called on the community to donate blood, particularly rare blood types which are is in constant demand in the country.
Around 60 members of the Christ Embassy Church will be donating blood during the campaign which will be held for three days to accommodate donors who are working.
In an official statement sent to Gulf News, the church said: “This is the first time we are donating blood and it is a three-day activity [from October 16 to 18]. Around 60 blood donors are registered to donate blood. We are so grateful to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and we feel it is our duty to support the well-being of fellow residents in any way we can. In addition, it creates awareness of the importance of life and that each one of us is important for the welfare of our fellowmen.”
Each bag of donated blood may save three lives. But it only has a shelf life of 42 days, which means regular replenishment of stocks is important.
Some 38 per cent of the blood collected this year was supplied to the Thalassemia Centre, while 16 per cent went to Dubai Hospital and 14 per cent to Rashid Hospital. The rest was distributed among Latifa Hospital, Hatta Hospital and private sector hospitals.
Residents can donate whole blood every eight weeks. Donors of platelets may donate up to 24 times a year.
“The people are very happy and glad to do so. We encourage every resident in Dubai to support the excellent leadership of the ruler of Dubai and to love fellow residents by donating blood,” the church statement said.
Potential donors need to:
- Be in good health.
- Be at least 17 years of age. Provided you are in good health, the upper age limit is 65.
- Weigh at least 50kg (110 pounds).
If you are in good health but take medications or have a chronic health condition, such as asthma, high blood pressure or diabetes, call +971 4-219 3221/3389 to determine your eligibility.
