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World Blood Donor Day (14 June 2010) is a time to thank all the people of Fiji who are blood donors for the contribution they make to the nation. Every blood donation saves lives, blood donors are an essential part of our community. “I am…. And I save lives!” No matter who you are, you can save lives
Global theme: ‘New Blood for the World’
Local theme: ‘Youth Donors – New Blood for Fiji’
The focus of World Blood Donor Day 2010 will be on Young Donors - with the slogan: “New blood for the world”. The local theme for Fiji is ‘Youth Donors – New Blood for Fiji’.
The need for blood is increasing in all parts of the world. Young people can make an important contribution by donating blood and by recruiting other young people to become donors. Initiatives such as young ambassadors’ programmes, Club 25, media campaigns directed towards young audiences and other youth-oriented activities will help bring “new blood to the world”. Many activities are planned around the world to focus on the role of young people in ensuring a safe blood supply.
World Blood Donor Day takes place on 14 June each year. The aim is to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems. World Blood Donor Day is also an opportunity to celebrate those who already donate blood, in response to the worldwide increase in demand for voluntary non-remunerated blood and plasma donations. Today, 57 countries have achieved 100 per cent voluntary blood donation, up from 39 in 2002.
Since 2004, World Blood Donor Day has been jointly sponsored by four core agencies: The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (IFBDO) and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). During 2009-10, IFBDO will be acting as the coordinating agency on behalf of the four core agencies to coordinate communication with any external agencies.
The 2010 global event will take place in Barcelona, Spain. It will be hosted by the Spanish and Catalonian Health Care Authorities, the Spanish and Catalonian donor associations and the Spanish Red Cross.
World Blood Donor Day in Fiji
The marking of the event in Fiji will be held on 26th June at Syria Park, Nausori. The local theme for Fiji is ‘Youth Donors – New Blood for Fiji’. At the National level the Fiji National Blood Service of MOH and Fiji Red Cross with its supporting partners the Fiji Times & Vodafone have been planning and coordinating for a major campaign for build up activities in schools in the Central Division whereby the ‘Youth Club 25’ concept and initiative will be piloted and launched on the 26th of June. Club 25 is a youthful concept which has worked in other countries in the area of Blood Advocacy, promoting the value of saving lives by giving blood. Through the club young people are encourage to attend a Blood Centre, learn about healthy lifestyles and to give blood regularly, aiming for about 20 blood donations by the age of 25 years!! Not only is that but there also programs and activities that a member will participate in organized by the club on a fortnightly and monthly basis. Such as being involved in health promotion activities, peer education and other health risk behavior. There are opportunities to be active in promoting first aid, good nutrition and even becoming Peer Educators/advocates.
Selected secondary schools in the Suva – Nausori corridor will participate in the campaign and selected youth from these schools will participate in the Training for Voluntary Non Remunerated Blood Donation in Suva on 19th June 2010 and they will be trained to become Blood Advocacy Peer Educators and they will be responsible for raising awareness on the importance of blood donation in their schools and recruiting their peers to become Blood Donors.
On 22nd June, an oratory contest will be held at the Fiji Times Conference Room, Victoria Parade Suva. The contest will feature youths from schools and youth groups participating focusing on the 2010 theme. Selected contestant will deliver their speech on the 26th of June event in Nausori. In the Western Division, the Lautoka Branch Puppet Theatre team in collaboration with the West Blood Bank Team & branches in the division will embark on puppet theatre road show from Rakiraki town to Sigatoka town from the 21st to the 24th of June targeting schools and youth groups. The aim of the road show is to raise awareness amongst youths on the importance of blood donation and at the same time recruit young voluntary Donors. Mass media will also be a key component of the campaign through television and radio which will start airing from the 19th of June till the 26th of June. Young people can also watch out for our recruitment form and more information bulletin on the ‘Kaila edition’ through the Sunday Times - 13th and 20th of June edition. Other FRCS branches around the country will also organise activities in their districts on 26th June to commemorate this event in collaboration with the Fiji National Blood Service.
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