The Sunday Mail
It was a hive of activity at the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) donor collection centres across the country as youths from different parts of the country converged for the start of the Youth Donor Month blood drive campaign. This came after the successful launch of the festive season campaign on the 2nd of December 2014 which was coupled with the Pledge 25 Club 20th anniversary celebrations.
The Youth Donors Day blood drives were held across the country on the 5th and 6th of December where a total of 1 288 units of blood were collected from this event. Tel One has come on board and partnered NBSZ in its publicity campaign to sensitize the public about the importance of donating blood during the festive season.
This is the beginning of a long term partnership between Tel One and NBSZ. Tel One will also be hosting their annual sports gala in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West from 12-14th December 2014, and it is NBSZ’s hope to also reach out to potential blood donors through this event. In Harare, youths from other organisations such as Leo Club of Gunhill, Junior Chamber International and the Zimbabwe Red Cross partnered the Pledge 25 Club Youth Donors Day by donating blood. Entertainment for the day was provided by National Brand Ambassador Mr Bob Nyabinde, and a dance group from Gwanda courtesy of the Zimbabwe Red Cross. The adult festive season campaign is also underway with blood donors visiting the NBSZ blood donor clinics throughout the country in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare. The campaign is being run under the theme “Accidents and Emergencies do not take holidays, donate blood”. Through this campaign NBSZ is hoping to increase its adult donor base. On 11 November 2014, NBSZ opened a clinic at Joina City Complex which is situated on 1st Floor, Shop 128. The clinic is strategically located in a safe, secure and comfortable environment meant to provide convenience to blood donors. If you are in town, take time to visit us and donate that special unit of blood. From December 15 to January 12 2015, NBSZ in partnership with tenants at Joina City will be running an awareness campaign to sensitize the public about the new location of the blood donation clinic.
Inventories are usually not enough at this time in December. Patients having major surgeries, receiving trauma care or cancer treatment can quickly deplete the supply as we enter the peak of the holiday season next week. Donations decline during the holiday season with high schools and colleges on break, and people busy with vacations, family gatherings and social events. We therefore put out a renewed appeal today for blood donors to take just 15 minutes between now and January 10, 2015 to give blood that will carry us through the holidays so that we can avoid an emergency shortage down the road if blood supplies become depleted, especially if we are hit with high road carnages that are usually characteristic during this time of the year.
There is a specific need for O-negative blood donors: because these are the ever important ’universal blood donors’ whose blood can be transfused to patients with any other blood type. To be potentially eligible to give blood you must be aged between 16 – 60 years, weigh over 50kgs and be in general good health.
The festive season campaign has now become an annual event held every year during the months of December and January. This is incorporating the adult population because over the years the month of December was a time when the youth would have blood drive campaigns. The fact still stands that adults consume 80% of the blood whilst they just contribute 20% of blood to the national blood bank. As leaders in our communities this is the time to lead by example to the younger generation and walk the talk of giving blood.
You can gift wrap a beautiful present. You can decorate your house with Christmas lights. You can fill a gift bag with holiday cookies. One thing you can’t put in a box and place under the Christmas tree is the perfect gift – a life saving blood donation. Make a difference wherever you are by visiting the NBSZ static clinic nearest to you. Make a difference this festive season; Give the gift of life, donate blood”
For your questions and feedback, please write or contact; Esther Massundah; Public Affairs Manager on 251851, 251854 / 251855-6, 0772162279, 0772162280, 0772162281, 0772162282, 0772162283, 0772162284, 0772162285 or email [email protected]
