The event recognizes the selfless contributions of voluntary blood donors. It further motivates new donors to join the donation train and encourages those who are already doing so to continue on the same path.
The National Blood Transfusion Service, NBTS, has honored a group of exemplary Cameroonian blood donors for their lifesaving contributions in boosting the efficiency Cameroonian health system through the regular donation of blood.The institution celebrated the individuals in Yaounde last Saturday June 14.This was during an event organized by the NBTS to observe the 22nd World Blood Donor Day. The activity was held under the theme “Give Blood, Give Hope, Together We Save Lives,”. It was held in the presence of NBTS General Manager, Prof Dora Mbanya.
The World Blood Donor Day is observed on June 14 annually. The event has since its launch in 2004, strived in recognizing the selfless contributions of voluntary blood donors for their vital contribution in helping maintain safe and sufficient blood supplies. It further motivates new donors to join the trend and urging those who have already been doing so to continue on the same path.Speaking during Saturday’s event, NBTS head, Prof Dora Mbanya said the commemoration is a new window of opportunity for the blood management service to raise awareness on the importance of blood donation.
She said such engagements are the undisputable crucial steps that the country must take if it must attain its target of matching the World Health Organization’s recommendation on the availability of blood.
Prof Dora Mbanya insisted that through awareness and action, communities can ensure hospitals never face shortages, thereby crucially saving countless, thereby attaining the decisive WHO target which requires countries to maintain blood donations from 1-3% of their population, a figure that leaves Cameroon with an annual requirement of over 400,000 blood bags for medical treatments and emergencies.
A representative of the Donors Association, Dr. Charles Lyonga, made similar calls, urging Cameroonians to selflessly engage in voluntary donations.“We move out of our comfort zones to sensitize people from 18 years of age and above, to encourage them and provide them with the necessary information needed to protect them from being misled. It won’t be our fault if you go to the hospital and they’re told that blood is finished and there are no donors. We cannot do this without the population, so we count on them to save lives and make people happy,” Dr Charles Lyonga stated.
Saturday’s event brought together experts, donors and none donors with recipients sharing heartfelt testimonies calling on the population not to shy from helping others, challenging them to contribute to put smiles on recipients’ faces.
NBTS honors selfless, regular lifesaving donors
The NBTS provided certificates honoring regular donors for the kindness and generosity. The distinctions marked one of the major highlights of Saturday’s activity.The institution handed the first distinction to a donor who had donated blood 47 times. The highly-acclaimed donor was followed by other persons of goodwill who had donated 45, 39, 29 and 21 times respectively.
When asked about the motivating factor behind his regular donations, one of the top donors, Kameni Djongoue said he has been consistently going along with the donation because of his commitment to boost others’ wellbeing. “When you start donation, you get used to doing so after sometime. Seeing yourself helping others will make you become proud of yourself.” Kameni said. “For those who are still afraid to donate because of some thought, I assure you that nothing can happen to you simply because you donated blood,” he added, encouraging others who are still to join the blood-donation train to “come save lives.” “There is nothing better than saving lives. We have to help those in need if we can” another donor, Manou Mathias Desire, detailed.
Who can donate?
Per the World Health Organization, individuals between 18 and 65 years old may donate blood if they meet specific health requirements. Donors must weigh at least 50kg and have hemoglobin levels of 12.5g/deciliter, dl, higher for women and 13g/dl higher for men. Blood pressure should fall within the normal range of 90/60 millimeters of mercury, mmHg to 160/100 mmHg, with a regular pulse between 50-100 beats per minute.
Who benefits from blood donation?
A child with severe anaemia, a woman who has lost a lot of blood during child birth. Someone with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, a sickle cell patient or other persons suffering chronic diseases.
