By Samuel Akpan and Shine Alagba
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Multi-Specialty Hospital (NMSH) on Friday marked the 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day, raising awareness and advocating for equitable access to safe blood supplies for all.
Persecondnews reports that World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on June 14th each year, marks a vital occasion to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of blood donors.
The 58th World Health Assembly designated the first World Blood Donor Day as an annual global event in 2005, following its observation in 2004.
Since then, it has been celebrated each year to recognize the life-saving role of voluntary blood donors.
In her opening remarks at the event at the NMSH conference hall in Utako, Abuja, Mrs. Mirian Anabui, Laboratory Manager at NMSH, stated that a single act of blood donation has the power to transform lives and shape the cause of our shared humanity.
She said: “Together, we can ensure that the legacy of giving continues to thrive and our future generation inherits the world where the gift of life knows no boundaries. On this World Blood Donor Day, let us stand united in gratitude, celebration, and inspiration.
“Today, on World Blood Donor Day, we come together to celebrate a remarkable milestone: twenty years of giving, twenty years of selfless compassion, and unwavering dedication to saving lives.
“On this momentous occasion, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for each and every blood donor who has generously contributed to this life-saving cause. Your heroism knows no bounds, and your impact resonates far beyond the confines of time and space.”
Dr. Folusho Pears, NMSH’s Managing Director, called on Nigerians to say NO to commercial blood donors, noting that “blood is life; blood should not be sold; blood should be given willingly.”
Dr. Charles White, representing Pears, stated: “This is the one day in every individual’s life. Nobody wants to pray to have the need to be transfused. But when you do need one, you must have one, because blood is what carries the life of an individual.
“It’s one component of human life where no ingenuity has been able to replace blood for blood.
“For every one of us that is here, today marks a day of remembrance and the re-emphasizing of the fact that blood is life, blood should not be sold, and blood should be given willingly.
“And because many other people consistently have the need for blood, there is also a day for us to have more donors—willing donors, not commercial donors.”
The guest speaker, Dr. Oyetunde Akinyole, pointed out that the essence of giving blood is to sustain life.
He said: “Blood does not have tribe; it does not have religion; it does not have ethnicity.
“Give blood so that others may live. The essence of giving blood is to sustain someone’s life. The giver has a lot of benefits because it helps you with the satisfaction of saving a life and because of the free medical checkup.
“Those who don’t have the opportunity to donate blood may not know when they have sickness or diseases.”
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