A non-profit organisation, Jela Development Initiative, has appealed to the public to generously donate blood to alleviate the critical shortage of blood supply in hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide.

The organisation made the appeal in Abuja on Saturday, in collaboration with the National Blood Service Commission and Rotary Club of Abuja Federal, during a blood drive.

The blood drive is themed “Be a hero, donate blood and save lives.”

The CEO of JDI, Angela Ochu-Baiye, stressed the importance of providing blood donations to aid patients in life-threatening conditions.

Ms Ochu-Baiye, represented by Programmes Assistant at JDI, Oluchi Ihezie, highlighted that blood donation was a noble and selfless act that could profoundly impact someone’s life.

“The organisation is dedicated to promoting voluntary blood donations, recognising the challenges many face in accessing blood due to its high cost.

Ms Ihezie further stated that there was a surging demand for blood not only within the nation but also across the continent and globally.

“Patients requiring blood, such as those grappling with severe illnesses like cancer or undergoing intensive medical treatments, heavily rely on blood transfusions for their survival,” she said.

Also speaking, Donor Recruiter NBSC, Omotayo Ottun, pointed out that blood donors not only contribute to a life-saving cause but also benefit from comprehensive medical check-ups prior to donation, promoting overall health and well-being.

Ottun said, “The main targets of the donation are the excess blood in your system, which the body is not using, a sachet of that blood after every three months for men and four months for women can save three people’s life. Donations also help to produce new red blood cells making it more active in your system, it helps burn calories and also regulates the heart effectively.’’

Theophilus Apeh, representing the Rotary Club of Abuja Federal, expressed gratitude to blood donors for their invaluable contributions to the humanitarian endeavour.

Mr Apeh also urged the relevant authorities to ensure that donated blood reached patients in need without imposing any financial burdens.

An anonymous first-time blood donor shared her experience in partaking in the noble cause and overcoming initial apprehensions surrounding blood donation.

She also expressed appreciation for the rigorous screening procedures carried out to ensure donor eligibility and blood safety.

(NAN)