By Wallace Mawire
Harare – The National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is intensifying a campaign to promote blood donations amongst the population to boost the country’s blood bank resources.
According to the NBSZ Chief Executive Officer, Lucy Marowa, every year on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day, a day dedicated to express gratitude to voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving contributions.
She said the occasion also aims to raise awareness about the ongoing need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need.
Marowa said in addition, the day serves as a call to action for governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, unpaid donors and to ensure access to safe blood and transfusion services for all who require them.
The focus on this year’s campaign slogan is “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives,” highlighting the life-changing impact blood donors have on those in need.
She said it celebrates the power of community and solidarity in saving lives through the simple act of giving blood.
The campaign also seeks to inspire by sharing real stories of people whose lives were saved thanks to blood donation or personal experiences from donors themselves, encouraging regular donors to keep giving and motivating healthy individuals, especially young adults to become first-time donors.
The objectives of this year’s campaign are to raise public awareness about the critical need for blood and plasma donations and the impact they have on patients’ lives,encourage both new and existing donors to give blood regularly, helping to ensure a stable and sufficient blood supply.
A blood donor donating blood.
Marowa said as the nation commemorates World Blood Donor Day (WBDD), they are proud to announce their target of 600 donors, a number that includes students, dedicated members of Pledge 25 Club Zimbabwe and adult donors who continue to make a difference.
She said this year marks a historic moment, as World Blood Donor Day is being commemorated in the city of Kadoma for the very first time.
“We are going to be at Jameson High School in Kadoma. NBSZ is extending an open invitation to individuals, businesses and organizations to stand with us in this noble cause. Your partnership can make an extraordinary difference, whether through direct donation, sponsorship or advocacy. To those who are healthy, aged 16 to 60 and weighing at least 50kg,you have the ability to be a hero in someone’s story,” Marowa said.
She called on Zimbabweans to Join the campaign event Kadoma to celebrate generosity, compassion, and the lifesaving impact of voluntary blood donors.
“Let’s honour those who have given, inspire those who are willing and unite as a community for the greater good,” Marowa said.
Marowa said they will be a procession on Wednesday, the 11th of this month,and they will be hosting a procession from Africa Unity Square to the NBSZ Offices as part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness.
She said the initiative is more than a march, but is a movement for hope, for life and for the countless patients whose survival depends on the selfless act of donating blood.
She said her organization was immensely grateful to the Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) and the Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), not only for their participation in the procession but also for their unwavering support of their blood drives over the years.
She said their continued commitment has played a significant role in ensuring that the country’s blood banks remain stocked and their involvement during the procession reinforces the message that blood donation is a collective responsibility.
She said through collaboration and dedication, they can create a culture where voluntary blood donation is embraced and sustained.
NBSZ has invited members of the public, the media and all stakeholders to support and amplify the message.