The Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service have called on Lagos residents to donate blood to help save lives during emergencies.
The organisations made the call in Lagos on Saturday at an event to mark the 158th World Red Cross Day celebration, noting that there was a need for more collaboration to ensure blood banks in the state have blood for emergencies.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event tagged, ‘“Unstoppable” was organised by the Lagos State Branch of the NRCS.
The event was also organised to launch the Society’s, ‘One Reach 10 Blood Drive.’
Chairman, NRCS, Lagos, Mrs. Adebola Kolawole, told NAN that the blood drive aimed to raise 1,000 pints of blood in a bid to acquire enough blood in the state’s blood bank for emergencies.
“We have been supporting the State’s Ministry of Health for over 25 years and we believe that with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, we can drive this project.
“We also believe that if one person who wants to donate blood comes with 10 people, there will be more impact,” she said.
Earlier, the chairman had said that the 2021 WRCD was significant because, Red Cross was trying to bounce back from the impact of the unprecedented circumstances in the past year, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You will agree with me that our world is in a state of constant upheaval and crisis.
“But whatever the problem, be it a natural or man-made disaster, climate crisis, conflict or pandemics, Red Cross volunteers are visible as first responders.
“In these trying times, our commitment and dedication as first responders and local actors, to alleviating human suffering, remains strong and unwavering, this is because together we are unstoppable,” she said.
Secretary of the branch, Mr. Olakunle Lasisi, also said that if the voluntary blood drive was well embraced, the benefits could go beyond the state.
In his remarks on 2021 WRCD, he noted that Red Cross, particularly the Lagos State Branch, could claim to be unstoppable because of the support it received from its volunteers, donors, and partners.
On his part, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, Secretary, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, said that blood donor also had a lot of benefits to receive from donating.
“Apart from helping to save lives, it allows donors to have free health checks; their pulse rate, blood pressure, and blood levels will be checked.
“Studies have shown that people who donate blood have a lower incidence of heart diseases and cancers,” she said.
Osikomaiya, however, noted that only people who were between the ages of 18 and 65, and those that weigh at least 45 kilograms, could donate blood.
(NAN)
