SustainablePEOPLE, a group dedicated to creating awareness about social responsibility and sustainability, has embarked on a 2-day campaign to educate the public about the significance of blood donation.
The exercise was in commemoration of World Blood Donor Day.
World Blood Donor Day is observed every June 14th to honour voluntary blood donors and create awareness of the need for regular donations. This year’s theme, ’20 Years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You, Blood Donors,’ reflects 20 years of appreciation and the ongoing need for more donors.
As part of their campaign, SustainablePEOPLE organised a webinar on June 14, 2024, featuring Bodunrin Osikomaiya, executive secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Centre, as the keynote speaker.
On June 15, 2024, SustainablePEOPLE held a blood donor drive at the General Hospital, Gbagada in Lagos, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS). Some members of the group donated blood to the nation’s blood bank, aiming to serve humanity and address the shortage of blood donations nationwide.
Abiola Aminu, HSE Manager at VitaFoam Nigeria PLC and team lead of the SustainablePEOPLE Blood Donor Drive, in her address, emphasised the importance of the event, stating it was to raise awareness about the critical need for blood donation.
“In Nigeria, the demand for blood is increasing due to the rise in specialised medical cases such as leukaemia and cancer, but our blood banks are running low. This campaign is our response to that urgent need,” Aminu said.
Furthermore, Aminu noted many people, herself included, had misconceptions about the process. “Through our webinar with the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, we educated our members on the dos and don’ts of blood donation,” she said. “This enlightenment has significantly increased our turnout today.”
Also at the event, Mebawondu Taiwo Samson, an HSE practitioner and team member, spoke on the broader implications of the blood drive. “As an emergency specialist, I know the critical need for blood. According to WHO statistics, over 6,000 people need blood daily. Our initiative aims to help meet this demand and create a culture of regular blood donation,” he said.
Samson also addressed common misconceptions about blood donation. “Many people fear that donating blood will harm them or that their blood will be misused. In reality, all blood is thoroughly screened, and every donation is an act of solidarity,” he stated. “We need to break down these barriers and educate the public on the life-saving impact of blood donation. Blood donation is an act of solidarity, and every drop counts.”
