By Tendai Chisiri
For the first time, World Blood Donor Day will be held at Jameson High School in Kadoma on the 14th of June as it is being hosted by the Harare branch province.
Addressing the media on a press conference on Monday, National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) chief executive officer Ms Lucy Marowa said the annual event will be held at Jameson High School in Kadoma on Saturday.
“As we embark on the World Blood Donor Day commemorations this year, we want to advise you that we are going to have our main commemorations being hosted by the Harare Province. But the event will be held at Jameson High School in Kadoma”.
“It is a historic moment for us as an organization because this is the first time we have been in Kadoma. In other years we have gone to other provinces like Matebeleland, Midlands, Masvingo and Manicaland. This time we are hosting as Harare branch so we are nearby in Kadoma”, she said.
NBSZ is part of the global community in the field of transfusion medicine. This year’s commemorations will be held under the theme, “Give Blood, Give Hope, Together we Save need lives”.
“Every year on the 14th of June we join the rest of the world in commemorating World Blood Donor Day. This day is dedicated to thank our selfless men and women who give blood time and again to save the lives of those that are in need in the various health institutions in different countries. Also together with them, it is the day that we celebrate these heroic acts that they do in order to save the lives of those that are in need”, Marowa elaborated.
“The occasion is for us to raise awareness on the need of safe blood in the country and also for the need of adequacy of blood and blood products at everytime in the value chain of healthy provisions. It also a day that we call to action Governments and national health authorities so that they can provide the resourses that we need in order for the health delivery system to work seamlessly so that those in need are able to be saved on time and every time. We also want to make sure that the unpaid blood donors that are giving each and every time are appreciated and that their heroic acts that they have undertaken doesn’t go to waste”, she added.
NBSZ is encouraging donors who are both new and old donors meaning those that have lapsed giving blood only in high school and because of pressures of life have stopped donating blood. NBSZ is encouraging them to come back again and continue to give blood.
The organization is also highlighting the positive impact that the whole blood donation exercise has on communities through the health of others.
“This year we are targeting to collect 97 500 units of blood. It is a scale up from last year’s target of which we wanted to collect 88 480 units. From that target of last year, we managed to collect 82% of that target which was 77 020 units. Despite only getting 82% od our target last year due to operational challenges, we have managed to do our best to address those operational challenges and scale up to a target of 97 500”, Marowa revealed.
The first half of this year, NBSZ has actually achieved 73% of the target. At the event in Kadoma, they are targeting to collect whole 600 units on the day. This will be drawn from both school going and adult donors. They are hoping to have 400 units from school going and 200 from adult donors communities.
Giving solidarity message at the same event, Pledge25 Zimbabwe national digital relations officer Allan Ndaba said they will continue mobilising youths to donate blood.
“I would like to say our commitment remains steadfast. We will continue mobilising the youth, inspiring them to become regular and committed blood donors to ensure sustainable supply of this life saving resource for generations to come. To all our blood donors, past, present and future, we celebrate you”
“Your generosity and selflessness are lifeline of countless individuals to my fellow donors who are still at school, colleges and universities. Your journey as as a life servers doesn’t end there. It is just a beginning. By making the pledge to continue donating blood, you ensure that hope and healing never run dry. Stay committed, keep giving and let your legacy of generosity grow into adult hood”.
“Give blood, give hope, together we can save lives. The world needs your kindness more than ever. For us all at Pledge 25 Club Zimbabwe, we wish you a very happy World Blood Donor Day” Ndaba said.
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