The Sunday Mail
Following the end of the World Blood Donor Day Campaign which concluded with a Scientific Evening on the 27th of July, the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has embarked on an August Holiday Blood Drive campaign to be held under the theme “Life is in the Blood.”
The campaign shows NBSZ’s holiday preparedness as High Schools close for the end of term school holiday and the nation approaches the Heroes Day public holidays.
The Life is in the Blood August Campaign which is targeting both the youths and the adults aims to collect 4 350 units of blood.
The national blood collection target for the year 2017 is 70 000 units of blood which is an increase compared to last year’s target of 65 000 units.
Hence the August Holiday campaign will contribute towards and complement NBSZ’s efforts to achieve its set target for blood collections in 2017.
The campaign constitutes of blood drives to be held through NBSZ static clinics targeting the adults and the Pledge 25 Club Zimbabwe targeting the youth around the country, hosted through NBSZ’s five offices in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Masvingo.
The holiday campaign was officially launched through an activation Pledge 25 Club Zimbabwe Ladies Gala blood drive that was held on Saturday 5 August and a total of 348 units of blood were collected.
The campaign will run up to the 5th of September 2017.
The blood drives, also known as “galas”, are targeting both sexes and will be held at 38 other venues in major cities, towns and growth points.
Hence, the Pledge 25 Club Zimbabwe is inviting all its members to attend its organised blood drives. It is the club’s principle that its members donate blood often so as to maintain regularity.
Venues and dates are available on NBSZ Facebook page, Twitter and Website.
The Pledge 25 Club concept with its origin from Zimbabwe has proudly been emulated globally in over 62 countries as “Club 25”. Membership is open to all who will manage to donate 25 units at or before they turn 30 years of age.
The mission of the club is to consistently provide low risk and adequate blood and contribute to the overall well-being of the nation through innovative, cost effective youth-oriented activities.
This is motivated by the goal of contributing to a healthy nation through active youth initiatives and participation.
Campaigns such as the Life is in the Blood campaign help to combat challenges of seasonal blood shortages by ensuring safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to enable a constant supply of blood to hospitals especially during school and National holiday periods such as Heroes Day.
The Life is in the Blood Campaign is a partnership between NBSZ and Joina City Shopping Mall which started on January 01 and runs till December 31 2017. The campaign aims to Increase blood collections and raise awareness on NBSZ’s operations in Zimbabwe.
In the previous years, NBSZ has been able to meet the Country’s needs for blood and blood products in Hospitals; nevertheless the Service in partnership with Joina City Shopping Mall is holding this campaign to curtail any probability of any incidence of blood shortages and as well as inform and educate the public on the importance of donating blood amongst Zimbabweans, especially adults.
Adults are strongly encouraged to take up the responsibility of being active regular blood donors as they contribute 30 percent to the National annual blood collections in the Bloodbank whilst youths account for 70 percent.
All persons between 16 and 65 years of age, who are healthy and have no infections that can be transmitted to the recipients of their donated blood, are eligible to donate blood.
If one is already a repeat donor at 65 years, this can be extended to 70 years, dependent on medical assessment.
Donors must weigh at least 50kg and meet the documented NBSZ guidelines and criteria for safe blood donation.
Life is in the Blood – Donate Blood today
The Joina City Donor Clinic located on the first floor accessible through the Centenary Bridge link will be open for donors throughout the month of August every Monday to Saturday except on public holidays.
The Joina City NBSZ Donor Clinic offers a clean, calm and serene environment allowing donors an opportunity to save lives while they make donations.
Joina City will be trading during the month of August including heroes, and defence forces days. Log onto our Facebook page for more information on August holiday specials; Joina City, Zimbabwe.
For questions and answers, please write/contact; Esther Massundah, Public Affairs Manager, on 251851, 251854 / 251855-6, 0772162279, 0772162280, 0772162281, 0772162282, 0772162283, 0772162284, 0772162285; or email [email protected]. Like our Facebook page: @NBSZ bloodbank, or follow us on Twitter: @NBSZbloodbank
