BY FASILAT LAWAL
Blood Donors have called on Government and Non Governmental Organizations to support the National Blood Service Commission with more funds to effectively address low turn out of blood Donors in the Country.
They made the call during the Celebration of this year’s World Blood Donor Day at National Blood Service Commission NBSC, Total Garden, Ibadan.
Two blood donors, Mr Akinmola Oloruntobi and Mr Ibrahim Olatobosun said adequate funding would enhance the commission’s awareness drive in schools, market places and communities.
Two others, Mr Olalekan Afeez and Mr Adeyoju Adeyemi, who are long time blood donors, said the practice had not affected their health, urging people to do away with the notion that donating blood was injurious.
In a remark to commemorate the day, the Acting Zonal Director, National Blood Service Commission, Southwest Zonal Center, Dr Odunayo Akano explained that this year’s theme, which is 20 years of Celebrating Giving : Thank You Blood Donors, was aimed at celebrating voluntary Donors who donated regularly over years to save lives.
Dr Akano, who described donors as heroes, affirmed that donating a pint of blood can save three lives, and also benefits donors, as it renews new blood cells in the body.
She appealed to people to always donate blood in service to humanity.
High point of the event was donation of blood by people at the event.