Donate blood and be a hero, official urges

Al Ain: To appreciate regular blood donors and encourage others to come forward, Tawam Hospital's Blood Bank has launched a two-month blood donation campaign across the country.

The drive is called Every Blood Donor is a Hero, to reinforce the self-esteem of those who give blood voluntarily and regularly and encourage others to become inspirational local heroes. This is the hospital's annual blood collection campaign and will also mark World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

During the drive the blood bank will send its teams and mobile units to different locations, including private and government sector organisations and companies.

"It focuses on the idea that everyone potentially can become a hero by giving blood," said Hamad Al Mulla, Director of the Blood Bank, also known as the Regional Blood Bank.

He said blood donation is a noble cause through which at least four people's lives can be saved by making just one donation. "Statistics show one in four of us will require a blood transfusion at least once in our lifetime — that's someone in every family — and with this campaign we want to encourage the younger generation of the UAE, from all walks of life, all regions, backgrounds, religions and ages, to become heroes and save lives by donating blood."

Donating blood, said Al Mulla, is crucial as blood is needed on a daily basis for trauma victims, heart surgery, organ transplants, thalassaemia, and patients receiving treatment for leukaemia, cancer and other diseases.

information

For more information, donors can visit www.tawamhospital.ae or call 8008722 toll-free for more information on venues and dates. Alternatively, the Tawam Hospital Regional Blood Bank welcomes donors all year long.