Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has declared their blood donation campaign, ‘Be the 1’, launched three months ago successful, said an official of the Dubai Blood Donation Centre (DBDC).
So far, over 11,000 units of blood was donated in the last three months after the campaign was launched in partnership with the Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo, said Dr Mai Raouf, director of the centre.
Dr Raouf said: “Since the launch of the campaign, we collected 11,653 units of blood. Of the units of blood collected, 4,622 were collected at the centre, 4,421 wduring campaigns and 2,610 through mobile blood donation buses.”
Dr Raouf added that with such robust donations, her centre was able to meet the growing demand for blood for Dubai. ”My message to the community is that those who have rare or negative blood groups should register with the centre so that we can call them if the need arises. I would also like to inform the public that it is safe to donate blood every eight weeks, and platelets up to 24 times a year. Blood donation takes only 15 minutes and in return it provides patients with a lifeline.”
As part of this campaign, DHA’s blood donation buses have been holding mobile blood donation camps across different locations in the emirate to encourage the community to donate blood and to raise awareness about importance of this humanitarian initiative that directly helps save lives.
The DBDC is the first centre in the UAE and one of the few centres in the Middle East to achieve the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) accreditation. It is located on the premises of Latifa Hospital. Donors can walk in to donate blood from 7.30am to 7pm on weekdays. Those interested can call the centre at 04-2193221.
Blood facts
One unit of blood donated can help up to three people.
Blood has a short shelf life. Red blood cells can be stored for just 42 days, and platelets can be stored up to five days.
