Home Page | Global Network for Blood Donation, A Rotarian Action Group

Posted on Jul 17, 2018

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African Industries Group (AIG), in collaboration with Rotary Club of Lagos Island, has held a blood donation camp at its Odungunyan office, near Ikorodu, Lagos. President of Rotary Club of Lagos Mr. Sanjeev Tandon, said blood is the gift of life and that everyone should be his brother’s keeper by donating blood. Mr Rocheet Abbi, Vice-President Dr. Sunit Deb Roy and Secretary Ms. Mamta Deb Roy represented Rotary while African Industries Group was represented by Mr. Ravi Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ikorodu Steel Mills (ISM) and Mr. S. Narayanan, the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The voluntary donation began with a steady stream of donors. They were joined by African Steel Mills and African Foundries employees, who participated in large numbers. The camp was witnessed by Nigerian and Indian nationals with some returning to donate blood after a long time. They were enthusiastic. However, not everyone donated. Some were dejected after being turned back for lack of sufficient hemoglobin. Of the 137 people that registered, 109 were able to donate blood. Tandon described the exercise as a ‘record’.

It was heart-warming to see members of Rotary Club, Lagos attending in large numbers, despite their tight schedules. To show how committed they were about the exercise, they waited patiently for other donors beyond the camp timing to take their turns. African Industries Group contributes its best to the society through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. The company ensures that the event was a huge success.

African Industries partners Lagos Island Rotary on blood bank project

Posted on Jun 29, 2018

The African Industries Group Limited, Agbara, Ogun State has partnered Lagos Island Rotary Club on free blood bank donation project in Agbara. The project is aimed at saving the lives of those with such needs for blood during surgeries. The club, recently acclaimed the Rotary Mega Club of Africa, and the group are partnering as part of their social corporate responsibilities to alleviate the suffering of the teeming masses, while identifying with their yearnings and expectations, promptly and adequately.

The project, which held at the African Fertiliser and Chemical Nigeria premises, Agbara Ogun State, witnessed a very large turnout of willing free blood donors, who included the members of the club, led by its President, Sanjeev Tandon, as well as the club’s Vice President, Projects, Sunit Debroy, the club Secretary, Mamta Debroy, the Treasurer Kisshore Bendre, and other club directors on various activities.

African Industries Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr Srinivasan Narayanan and the Administrator in charge of African Fertilizer and Chemical, Mr Sandeep Gogia, were on hand to support the project.The event, which started about 10.00am, did not end until 5.30 pm, with 142 registered, while eligible 111 donors were screened by officials of the state blood transfusion unit to authenticate the blood donated.

Tandon appreciated contributions from the club, corporate bodies, as well as other notable individuals with passion to save lives through blood bank free donation project. He thanked Nigerians, Indians and others involved in the exercise. The exercise was the second joint project to be executed by both Rotary Club of Lagos Island and the African Industries Group, Agbara Ogun State. The first was executed by the African Steel Mills and African Foundries Limited in Ikorodu Lagos State.

World Blood Donor Day Blood Drive with Law Enforcement

Posted on Jun 19, 2018

In a recent blood donation camp organized by Gurugram South City Rotary Club in association with Lions Club on the occasion world blood day, a large number of police personnel attended the camp and donated their blood. The blood donation camp held at the community centre of the police line in Gurugram where 169 units of blood were collected.

The chief guest of the function was Sandeep Kirwar and DCP Deepak Ghlawat inaugurated the camp. Besides the police personals, other officials of the police department, ladies and students also donated the blood. President of Gurugram Rotary Blood Bank Pawan Sapra and vice president BD Pahuja were also present. Addressing blood donors BD Pahuja said that he would like to convey his sincere gratitude to all the donors, doctors and well-wishers. Normally a person in the age group of 18-60 can donate blood four times in a year. By blood donation, one person can save life of several people.

Abhay Jain secretary of Gurgaon South City Rotary club said that blood cannot be reproduced artificially. Only a man can save another man by donation of blood. Young man and woman should donate blood every four months. Donation of blood also helps one to avoid disease as it creates new blood cell in the body and keeps one healthy and fit.

Present on the occasion were Vice president of Rotary club South Dinesh Agarwal, treasurer Munish Khullar, Praveen Sharma, Rajabala Sharma, Rita Kumar, Tulsi Das Salwa, Subhash Verma Satish Singla, Vinay Kumar, Jugn Verma and Kamya, Sahil Rana etc.

From doctors side, Sunil Taneja and his team offered their best of cooperation. Under the Rotary Blood Donation initiative Blood, donors can receive donor card, certificate and medal. In case of any blood requirement, they can procure the blood showing the card.

Rotarians root for voluntary blood donation

Posted on May 21, 2018

The Rotary Club of Otta in conjunction with Ruby Medical Centre has donated blood to the Lagos State Blood Bank. Rotary Assistant Governor Ramesh Biswal noted that the initiative he started in 2014 at Rotary Club of Palmgrove, has not been abandoned by successive administrations. Biswal urged people to donate blood. ‘’Blood should be donated because it cannot be manufactured in a company like other products,’’ he said, adding that a blood donor becomes healthier as the body produces more blood.

He said: “We have been taught by doctors that blood donation is good. One pint donated saves more than three people because components are there that will be separated. Rotary Club of Palm Groove has initiated this and we are happy it is ongoing. In 2015 alone, a total of 693 pints were donated and everybody was excited. That’s when I was the chairman, District 9110 Service Projects between 2015 and 2016. I was also the president between 2014 and 2015.”

Biswal is happy that, to date, over 7000 pints of blood had been donated through the club’s blood camp donation project. The Rotary Club Palm Groove is now moving the camp to various locations. “We are happy to educate more people on this, and the reasons for blood donation. I started in District 110, Ilupeju and it is gladdening that it is spreading and yielding desirable results,” Biswal said. Biswal added that Africa has a huge population and that the demand for blood was equally high. “That is why we are enlightening people to donate and save lives, like accident victims, and women in labor. If blood is needed and blood is not available, these patients die needlessly. That is why we are committed to this project. Our target in Rotary Club this year is 1000 pints.”

He challenged Ogun State residents to learn to donate, especially from 16 to 60 years. “Rotarians are into charity and we are happy doing just that. People should please join us to do the right thing,” he said. A donor, Ramesh Mallik, an Indian in his 50s, agreed that blood donation saves lives. ‘’If blood is not voluntarily donated, how can it be sourced when people need it, he asked.

He appealed to every citizen to be involved in donating blood so blood banks can have a surplus, as he added, “This is to save lives that may need same badly. Blood donation is humanity. I have always supported this course. I do this regularly, not waiting for when people will need it before I donate. As an Indian, I am happy to donate to my host country because blood is blood. It is not an ‘Indian blood’. Color of blood is the same. I am happy that my blood will be used to save someone, someday because first and foremost they are human beings and they deserved to live. I do not feel any discrimination in Nigeria. I feel at home.”

Sunday Adepoju, a Christian, who is in his early 30s, was happy to donate blood. Adepoju, an administrative staff member of Ruby Medical Centre, said he did to save lives. Adepoju explained that blood is not easy commodity to come by, like water, yet, it is a necessity, especially in emergency. “I do not know who will need the blood, but the thought that I am saving lives is enough joy for me. I am not donating for the first time. This is what I do willingly,” he said. Adepoju urged more people to donate blood.

Rotary Club, President, Gboyega Bakreen, said blood donation was part of the association’s project this year. ‘’We are doing this in collaboration with Rotary Club of Palm groove Estate. Ruby Medical Center is the spot for the collection of the blood. There are industries within Ota that supported this project. The target for this blood camp is 200 plus pints of blood.

“We, members, are not collecting the blood from donors by ourselves, but through the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS). We are doing that so that the blood in the blood bank can be more. I appeal to Ogun residents to get involved because the Community Development Council (CDC) and Community Development Areas (CDAs) are also getting involved.”

Rotaractors in blood donation drive

Posted on May 14, 2018

Over the weekend, Rotaract clubs of SFB-Kigali and Uganda’s International Health Sciences University (IHSU) took their blood donation drive to Kagarama Secondary School in Kicukiro District, which saw students and staff at the school donate 36 units of blood.

The two clubs are part of Rotary International, an international service organisation whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services. Speaking to The New Times, Yvette Namahoro, one of the doctors who were part of the activity, said the exercise was a success.

“We were able to collect about 36 blood bags, equivalent to 36 blood units. This is a success given it was the first time we were conducting this activity at the school,” she said.

The exercise was held ahead of the World Blood Donor Day, a global annual event that promotes voluntary blood donation and celebrates donors. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is a shortage of blood in Africa. Last year’s statistics indicate that a total of 5.6 million blood donations were collected from the African region. These accounted for only about 4 per cent of global donations, though the region is home to about 13 per cent of the global population. According to the president of Rotaract Club of SFB-Kigali, Jane Bamukunde, the voluntary blood donation activity was meant to drive awareness on the importance of donating blood.

“The two clubs partnered with Rwanda Biomedical Centre and the objective was to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need,” she said. She said that it is something that they want to consider doing every year to ensure that young people develop the passion of giving beyond self, which she said drives all Rotaract and rotary members across the world.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Donate blood, save lives

Posted on Apr 11, 2018

As part of its corporate social responsibilities, industrial giant Tolaram Group, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Lagos Island, has held a blood donation camp at its premises in Surulere, Lagos.

No fewer than 80 people that included Tolaram’s workers, Rotary members and residents of Eric Moore attended the event. At the end, over 90 pints of blood were donated.

Its General Manager (Finance) Mr Manoj Dhanuka said the camp was part of Tolaram’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives for its host community, even as he added that the gesture was aimed at complementing government’s blood bank initiative. He said the company also held a camp last month. He expressed his happiness to partner Rotary on the initiative.

Rotary Club’s President Sanjeev Tandon expressed satisfaction over Tolaram’s gesture. He said the aim of the club was to serve communities, adding that earlier Chellarams, Kewalram and Airtel had partnered Rotary. He said the company had done four camps out of the six he promised during his installation.

He urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of blood donation, noting that the objective of the club is to inculcate in Nigerians this consciousness, saying that blood donation is common in India. “They should not entertain any fear in donating blood,’’ he said.

Tandon praised Chairman of Tolaram Group Mr Mohan Vaswani, who is also an honorary member of Rotary, adding that he has done well for the club and Nigeria through the camp and Ishk Limb Centre. He noted that since March 2009, it has given out over 11, 725 free limbs to Nigerians.

The club’s Vice-President Dr Sunit Debroy also urged Nigerians to donate blood. He said Christians should imbibe the exercise and see it as a form of giving tithe and offering. “If you donate blood, you save lives,’’ he added.

Rotary International District 9110 Awards and Recognition Committee Chairman Steve Bossey said: “The camp is good, very impressive. The turnout was good. This is essentially what Rotary is all about.’’

WHO - World Blood Donor Day

Posted on Apr 02, 2018

World Blood Donor Day, 14 June 2018
Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life.

Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need.

Transfusion of blood and blood products helps save millions of lives every year. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. It also has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and child care and during the emergency response to man-made and natural disasters.

A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system. An adequate supply can only be ensured through regular donations by voluntary, unpaid blood donors. However, in many countries, blood services face the challenge of making sufficient blood available, while also ensuring its quality and safety.

Focus of this year’s campaign
The theme of this year’s campaign is blood donation as an action of solidarity. It highlights the fundamental human values of altruism, respect, empathy and kindness which underline and sustain voluntary unpaid blood donation systems. We have adopted the slogan, “Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life”, to draw attention to the roles that voluntary donation systems play in encouraging people to care for one another and generate social ties and a united community.

The campaign aims to highlight stories of people whose lives have been saved through blood donation, as a way of motivating regular blood donors to continue giving blood, and to motivate people in good health who have never given blood to begin doing so, particularly young people.

Activities may include commemorative events, meetings, publication of relevant stories, scientific conferences, publication of articles in national, regional and international scientific journals, and other activities that would help in promoting the theme of this year’s World Blood Donor Day.

The objectives of this year’s campaign
to celebrate and thank individuals who donate blood and to encourage those who have not yet donated blood to start donating;
to raise wider awareness that blood donation is an altruistic action that benefits all of society and that an adequate supply can only be ensured through regular donations by voluntary, unpaid blood donors;
to highlight the need for committed, year-round blood donation, in order to maintain adequate supplies and achieve national self-sufficiency of blood;
to focus attention on blood donation as an expression of community participation in the health system, and the importance of community participation in maintaining sufficient, safe and sustainable blood supplies;
to promote the community values of blood donation in enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion and in in encouraging people to care for one another and build a caring community;
to promote international collaboration and ensure worldwide dissemination of and consensus on the principles of voluntary non-remunerated donation, while increasing blood safety and availability
Host for World Blood Donor Day 2018 events
The host country for World Blood Donor Day 2018 is Greece, through the Hellenic National Blood Centre. The global event will be held in Athens on 14 June 2018.

Women behind Muyenga Rotary project drive

Posted on Apr 02, 2018

After several years as a Rotarian, Christine Anne Namayanja, the charter president of the Rotary Club of Muyenga Sunday Sunset can testify that there is a difference in the way women approach the idea of joining Rotary, a club of distinguished professionals called to service above self.

According to Namayanja, women take their time deciding on what is usually for men, a quick choice. This probably explains why women make up only just above 20 per cent of the world’s Rotarians.
Namayanja and her team do not merely reel off the numbers, they are actively engaged in trying to change this statistic. Not discounting the men who make up an important part of the club in Muyenga, a suburb of Kampala, it is remarkable that the club was chartered by a woman and has at its heart, a team of dedicated and highly talented women.

Last Saturday, this team was in action at one of the club’s community service projects at St Charles Lwanga Secondary School overlooking Lake Victoria in Ggangu, Busabala, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality.
With the aim of running a blood donation drive, youth sensitization and tree planting exercise among others, the club constituted a diverse team of experts made up of lawyers such as Hadija Basajjabalaba, the club’s vice president and membership director, a dynamic recruiter for the club, youth specialists, a geologist, marketeers and entrepreneurs.

In their various categories, members strove to excel at their given service whether it was in mobilizing potential donors to give blood at the collection point manned by Mengo Rotary Blood Bank or working magic out of the modest school kitchen of St Charles Lwanga SS to ensure everyone received a fine meal. The youth and adolescent sensitization session was the star attraction, with more than 100 eager adolescent learners packed in the school hall and hanging onto the words of youth specialist Lillian Tutegyereize.

When the trees had been planted, blood donated and the youth sensitized and it was time to make an assessment of the day, the Club President focused on celebrating the team’s successes in a fun-filled closing session that felt more like a gathering of close relatives than a meeting of Rotarians. This ability to make members feel at home may be the secret to the fast growth of the young club, just over a year old, especially when it comes to recruiting women into the ranks of Rotary.

RI President learns about My Blood For Others in France

Posted on Apr 02, 2018

On March 22, 2018 in Paris, GNBD member Jean-Claude Brocart had the pleasure of presenting my Blood for Others at length to RI President Ian RISELEY. The 2 Governors of the Paris region were present as well as representatives of the French Blood Establishment

The figures of 350,000 donors welcomed in France since 1998 by several thousand Rotarians have impressed the RI President. Mr. Riseley was interested to learn that Toulouse collection is the largest in Europe. A friendly and fruitful discussion took place and Mr. Riseley noted the wish to see Rotary position itself as a major player in blood donation around the world. The adoption of a name common to all our collections (My Blood For Others) would be a strong lever of communication and visibility

On the group photo: Ian RISELEY, Jean-Claude BROCART, Françoise DURAND (Governor District 1660), Jean DELAS (Governor District 1770) and Stéphane NOËL, Director of the Paris region of the French Blood Establishment.

Rotary and Government Polytechnic Blood Drive

Posted by Editor on Mar 21, 2018

JAMMU, Mar 15: The Government Polytechnic Jammu, in association with Rotary Club Jammu Astha and Blood Bank of GMC organised a blood donation camp in the college. 48 college students and staff donated blood in the camp of which more than 25 students donated blood for the first time.

The chief guest of the programme was Vikram Randhawa (MLC Jammu), Dr. Vijay Sawhney (HoD Blood Bank Jammu), Arun Bangotra (Principal Government Polyte-chnic College Jammu) and the Other guests who were present included Vipan Bhasin (President Rotary Club) and Amit Gupta (Additional District Secretary Blood Donation Camp) Vikram Randhawa (MLC Jammu) encouraged the students to take part in such good deeds and appreciated this great service of the students and the work of the spirit among them he also said that any healthy person over 18 can donate blood.

While speaking on the occasion, Arun Bangotra, Principal of the institute motivated the students to participate in the blood donation which is a noble cause and said every person should donate the blood. Dr. Vijay Saini, HoD, Blood Transfusion Department, GMC, Jammu threw light on blood donation as contribution towards community development and brief the students about the importance of the blood donation
The students were given certificates and badges after donating the Blood. Many students donated blood for the first time. Many students expressed their willingness to donate blood for the needy in the future.

Mobile Blood donation van to help Thalassaemia kids in Hyderabad

Posted by Editor on Mar 07, 2018

HYDERABAD: Rotary Club of Hyderabad Deccan launched a mobile blood donation van, costing Rs 25 lakh, at Ameerpet at Rotary Challa Blood Bank at Dharamkaran Road recently. The mobile van is equipped with everything necessary for blood donation procedures like collection equipment, donor beds and short term storage solutions. It is expected to significantly increase the outreach of blood collection efforts. The club also upgraded blood bank facilities at its existing blood bank at Rotary Challa Blood Bank to support the cause of treatment for Thalassaemia Children. On this they invested Rs 40 lakh. This facility enables it to supply free blood to the children suffering from this, according to a press release.

According to President Som Dutt Sharma of Rotary Club of Hyd Deccan, the total cost of the project is ` 65 lakh, of which Rotary Deccan raised `13lakh, Rotary Club of Naperville of USA contributed `22 lakh the balance was raised by Rotary International Foundation which gave them a matching grant. The upgradation includes the addition of critical equipment for collecting, storing and processing blood, as well as refurbishing it. “Our target is to reach 300 units of blood collection every month. 30 per cent of blood collected will be provided free of cost to MNJ Cancer Children Hospital. Thalasaemia children will also get blood free of cost,” informed Praveen, one of the members. Several Rotarians Sharad Choudhury, Sunil Kumar Jain, Suresh, Praveen, Dr Challa Chaitanya attended the function.

Blood Donation Camp organized by CGC Landran

Posted by Editor on Mar 15, 2018

Driven by the noble motive of contributing towards saving precious lives, around 400 volunteers comprising students and faculty donated more than 400 units of blood at a blood donation camp organised by Chandigarh College of Education, Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC) Landran in association with PGIMER, Chandigarh and Rotary Club, Kharar. The camp was organized to highlight the importance of Blood Donation that helps save thousands of lives.

The Camp was inaugurated by Mr Karnesh Sharma (IAS) Director, Local Body, Punjab in the presence of Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chairman, CGC Landran and Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, President, CGC Landran. Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Mr Kamaldeep Singh Tiwana, Chairman, Rotary Club, Mr. Gurmukh Singh, President Rotary Club, Arshdeep Singh, ICC U-19 Cricketer.

A team of doctors led by Dr. Hari Krishan Dhawan, Assistant Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh conducted the camp which included pre medical tests and taking care of the various medical requirements at the camp

Reiterating CGC’s commitment towards sensitizing and inspiring students to serve the society, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chairman, CGC Landran and Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, President, CGC Landran, commended the spirit of the blood donors at the camp and also expressed their gratitude to PGIMER Chandigarh and Rotary Club Kharar for their support and cooperation in making the event a success.

Rotary clubs hope for more RhD negative blood donors

Posted by Editor on Mar 07, 2018

The 16th edition of the Rotary Blood Donation Day is aiming to attract more diverse blood donors, particularly RhD negative donors, to maintain a sufficient reserve of the blood type in the city. To be held at the recreation area and exhibition hall of the Flower City Garden on March 25, the event aims to promote awareness of the blood requirements of hospitals and the significant benefits of blood donation to the public, to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of blood reserve in the city.

Data provided by the Macau- based Rotary clubs showed that there was a total of 13,053 residents who registered for blood donation in 2017, while the Macau Blood Transfusion Services collected 14,288 blood units – an increase of 151 blood units over the 2016 levels. However, 2017 suffered from an 8 percent decrease of registered RhD negative blood donors, and a decrease of 14.7 percent of RhD negative blood units.

RhD negative donors in Macau are rare; an average of 150 persons out of 1,000 Caucasians have this blood type and at this point it is imperative to reserve more RhD negative blood. According to the Rotary clubs, the Macau Blood Transfusion Services hopes that all sectors of the community in Macau will collaborate towards the aim of active participation in blood donation from all ethnic groups living in Macau. “It is important for people to be aware that there is a need for this type of blood in Macau,” said Fatima Ferreira, president of the Rotary Club of Macau, in a press conference held yesterday.

“The percentage is low so we have to bring awareness to this issue in the foreigner population,” she added, hinting that there was a decrease after the region’s handover in 1999. Ferreira said that the rotary clubs hope to see an increase in the number of blood donors during the Blood Donation Day. She added that they are hoping to see a diversity of nationalities participate in the annual event.

“We hope that we will have an increase but we can’t tell because sometimes people have already donated blood [right before] the event starts,” said the president. Since 2012, registered MSAR residents have been able to draw blood samples from the Macau Blood Transfusion Services to check their eligibility for bone marrow donations. Until December 2017, a total of 963 residents registered as bone marrow donors. Some 921 of them successfully became either a bone marrow or blood stem cell donor. So far, only one donor has successfully donated bone marrow.

This 64-Year-Old Superhero Has Broken All Blood Donation Records!

Posted on Feb 14, 2018

In August 2016, a team from the Rotary Bangalore District 3190, etched their names in history, by collecting 3034 litres of blood across 13 locations in Karnataka, over the course of 8 hours. It was a Guinness World Record for blood donation, and they still hold it today. Among this team of volunteers was Lata Amashi, a 64-year-old who has been involved in serving the underprivileged in Karnataka for the past 17 years. Her energy and drive to make a change have made her a woman with a can-do attitude.

Meet Rotarian Kanta Saroop, an octogenarian with decades of social service in her blood

Posted by Editor on Jan 30, 2018

Kanta was in her early 30s when she became the prime mover of the voluntary blood donation movement in the region.

Age sits delicately on her. Kanta Saroop Krishen will turn 89 next month, but she looks years younger as she beams her beautiful smile. Tell her that, and she waves a hand dismissively. A workaholic all her life, if there is one thing that irritates her, it’s the inability of her body to keep pace with her indomitable spirit. “There is so much I want to do, but age is holding me back,” she murmurs, radiant in her pearls.

Kanta was in her early 30s when she became the prime mover of the voluntary blood donation movement in the region. It started when her husband, an ICS officer, moved to Chandigarh in 1960 with their three children. “Not quite satisfied with my usual routine of cooking, gardening, sewing et al, I offered my services to PGI,” she recalls. Two months later, Dr J G Jolly, who was tasked with setting up a blood transfusion department at PGI, knocked at her door. The feisty young mother jumped into the movement with her characteristic fervor. “Those days, poor and malnourished people would sell their blood for a pittance,” she says, telling you how she saw laborers donate blood and then collapse on the streets.

“Blood is a miracle cure. I am happy that I have been able to contribute. I hope blood banks continue to flourish and help people in need until they find a substitute for blood.” — Kanta Saroop Krishen

The heavy casualties in the 1962 Indio-China war further intensified the demand for blood. Kanta spread her wings to relay the message of blood donation. It wasn’t easy, given the myths associated with donating blood. “We would have men say things like ‘if I give blood to her, she will become my sister’ or ‘I will lose my vigor’.” After the movement took off in Chandigarh, Kanta started holding camps in neighboring states.

Valentine, NE Continues A Proud Tradition of Blood Donation

PDG William R. “Bob” Stetter sent in more information about the amazing work going on in Valentine, Nebraska. We recognize his efforts during a decade of blood drives since January 2003 and for serving as blood drive coordinator for 10 years. Virginia “Jeanie” Cozad should be recognized for taking over his position as coordinator in January 2013 after his tenure of 10 years. She has obviously done a fantastic job as shown by the numbers of collections. For more about Valentine, NE please continue reading -

The Legacy of RIPE Sam Owori in Tanzania and Uganda

Walakira Francis Borgia writes about the positive changes Rotary has brought his District, D9211, in Tanzania and Uganda.

D9211 is composed of Tanzania and Uganda in East Africa.

In March 2017 the RI President John Germ was in Kampala to Commission the Mengo Hospital Rotary Blood Bank.

Update: The Rotary Safe Blood Program in Latin America

Posted by Jo McKay

Lela Cote offers this update on the Safe Blood Program in Latin America.

GNBD Exhibiting in Toronto

Posted by Editor on Dec 14, 2017

This week, the GNBD received notice from Rotary International about booth 315 being awarded for exhibition in the House of Friendship during the Rotary International convention in Toronto, Canada.

Rotary Club of Accra-Ring Road Central Blood Donation 2017 Was A Success

Posted by Editor on Dec 14, 2017

Members of the Rotary Club of Accra-Ring Road Central recently embarked on a nationwide blood donation exercise as a way of giving back to society to support the nation’s health sector.

The annual blood donation exercise is undertaken by the club to help tackle the problem of regular shortage of blood in the major health facilities in the country. It is the main reason why the club decided to embark on this noble cause which stems out of their cardinal virtues. Last year, the club’s partnership with the National Blood Bank was such a success, hence the repetition this year; though this time around in Greater Accra Region alone.

On Friday, November 24, 2017, Rotary Club of Accra-Ring Road Central organised its second annual blood donation exercise in partnership with the National Blood Bank, which took place at Accra Academy in Bubuashie. The exercise produced 178 pints of blood, which is on record as the largest ever to have happened in Greater Accra Region.

The President of Rotary Club of Accra-Ring Road Central, Tony Asare, stated that service to humanity comes in many forms but one which touches the health of the people and saves lives is a noble one. He used the opportunity to encourage the general public to help stock the National Blood Bank with enough blood in order to help save more lives. Today you donate to someone's life, tomorrow someone will donate to save that of a dear one of yours.

he Rotary Mega Club of Lagos Island in partnership with Kewalram Chanrai has held a blood donation camp in Lagos

Posted by Editor on Dec 14, 2017

The Rotary Mega Club of Lagos Island in partnership with Kewalram Chanrai has held a blood donation camp in Lagos where they urged Nigerians to voluntarily donate blood to save lives.

The group at the just concluded 3rd edition of the Rotary Mega Club of Lagos Island District 9110 Nigeria/Kewalram Chanrai blood donation camp held at Headquarters, AFPRINT Compound 112-132, Oshodi – Apapa Expressway Isolo, Lagos, recorded 78 blood donors and realized 61 pints of blood after screening with help from the staff and equipment from the blood transfusion unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Alausa, Ikeja.

Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kewalram Chanrai, Mr. Siva Subramanian; the Executive Director, Human Resources, Mr. Saibal Majundar; the wife of the President, Rotary Mega Club of Lagos Island, Geetika Tandon, the Club Secretary Mamta Debroy, among others pleaded to humanity to very heartily donate blood generously to save lives, especially the patients and other critical beneficiaries at the point of death, in surgical operations.

In addition, they reiterated the urgent need to join Rotary International, with a view to positively and gainfully expand its frontiers in humanitarianism while providing succour to the needy with their talents, treasures, time for devoted contributions, to happily improve the lots of others, as government alone could not provide all the heinous pressing demands and expectations, especially in the areas of effective, adequate health care service delivery and other pressing areas of continued human empowerment as well at all times.

The maiden blood donation camp was held on July 28, 2017 in conjunction with Airtel telecommunications at its Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos headquarters subsequently followed by the second project sponsored by the Club in conjunction with the Chellarams Plc at its Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Headquarters on September 29, 2017.

The National Blood Service Ghana (NBSG), in collaboration with the Rotary Clubs of Accra and Accra Ridge, has awarded voluntary unpaid blood donors and stakeholders in a short ceremony in Accra.

Posted by Editor on Nov 29, 2017

The event was to publicly acknowledge and appreciate voluntary unpaid blood donors and other stakeholders who have shown commitment to saving the lives of patients requiring blood transfusion therapy across the country. The ceremony which coincided with the National Blood Donor Day celebration and the launch of the annual blood donation campaign also provided the platform for increasing awareness about achieving the national supplies based entirely on voluntary unpaid blood donation and emphasize the need for timely access to safe blood and blood products at all times.

Williams King Adamptey from the Eastern Region won the national best donor prize for donating 57 times and was rewarded with a citation and a double door fridge. Christian Ababio from the Greater Accra Region, who had donated 53 times voluntarily, came in second and was rewarded with a citation and a deep freezer, while Maxwell Yaw Anokye who had donated 51 times from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) was third and got a citation and a flat screen television.

At the regional level, specifically the capital, Samuel Amissah, 49 donations, Winfred Dugbetey, 46 donations, Sam Frank Kweitecco, 45 donations took the first, second and third prizes, respectively. They also received citations and gifts. Elizabeth Kpogo from the Greater Accra Region took the best female blood donor ward with 33 donations, while Richard Adzigbe took the best youth donor award with 29 donations. Dr Ernest Aseidu, Head of Quality Management Unit of the Ministry of Health (MoH), lauded the organisers for the occasion, indicating it was important as it serves as a reminder for safe blood collections from regular voluntary blood donation sources.

He stated that although it is right for voluntary donors to be celebrated, it is important to note that the country's blood supplies still fall short of the units required by patients who need blood transfusion due to over reliance on family replacement system. “I would, therefore, like to use this occasion to appeal to all Ghanaians to accept voluntary blood donation as a civic responsibility and a duty to our society,” he underscored.

He said a move from the family replacement system “will enable us redouble our efforts to attain the 100 percent voluntary blood donation target by year 2020.” “Government is committed to achieving this target by prioritising the passage of the National Blood Service Bill to provide the requisite legal framework to accelerate progress towards its achievement,” he disclosed.

Dr Michael Ebo Acquah of the NBSG, who spoke on the theme for the celebration, 'Blood Donation in Emergencies', added that adequate supply of blood during emergencies requires a well-organised blood service and a blood donor population committed to voluntary unpaid blood donation throughout the year. “Only 36.2 percent of the 160,624 units of blood collected in 2016 were from voluntary blood donors, the rest 63 percent were from family replacement donors which is often known to be a hidden paid system that compromises the adequacy and safety of the national blood supplies of any country that depends on it,” he said.

Dr Acquah explained that the country can move away from the worrying situation if just one percent of Ghana's population commits to donating blood regularly. Mr Adotei Brown, Past District Governor, Rotary District 9102, in his remarks as the chair called on stakeholders to think of innovative ways of sustaining voluntary blood donations.

Pints for Polio Blood Drive

Posted by Editor on Oct 26, 2017

The Rotary club of Killeen, Texas along with support from the Rotary clubs of Harker Heights, Killeen-Heights, Killeen Evening and Copperas Cove hosted the 2^nd annual Pints for Polio Blood drive. The drive is held in conjunction with World Polio Day, and the mission is saving lives locally and impacting polio globally. The drive is a dual faceted campaign to collect blood and raise money for Polio Plus. Rotarians are encourage to support the campaign in 1 of 3 ways.

Donating Blood and/or
Donating $10 to their clubs Polio Plus club and/or
Solicit a sponsor to match funds for units (ie donate $10 per unit of blood collected)

This year we collected 38 units which will help over 110 lives at local hospitals. The combined club effort also raised over $2000 towards Polio Plus.

2016’s campaign collected 22 units, helping save 66 lives and raised over $3000 towards Polio Plus.

Mon sang pour les autres celebrates 20 years

Posted by Jean-Claude Brocart on Oct 26, 2017

In January 2018, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of My Blood for Others. More than 350,000 donors were welcomed during these 20 years in 140 cities in France and abroad

The blood collection in Toulouse, France which is held each year in January, is the largest in Europe and is a great pride for Rotary. Our motto "Service above Self" finds with My Blood for Others one of its finest achievements, saving tens of thousands of lives. The image of Rotary is supported by the presence of many volunteers in the heart of the cities but also by all the articles published in the media

This action would deserve to be extended to other countries which could give it global visibility

To give blood is to save lives

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