Roll Up Your Sleeve and Donate Blood

 

Imagine a world where a simple act of kindness can save lives—this is what National Blood Donor Month is all about! Back in 1970, President Richard Nixon declared January in the U.S as the time to shine a light on the vital importance of blood donations. Throughout this month and hopefully beyond we can encourage more people to donate blood and celebrate the incredible generosity of those who make it happen.

This year, while drafting a message for our work intranet, the significance of this cause resonated deeply with me. Since December, someone I love dearly back home in Uganda has been battling illness and has needed numerous blood transfusions to maintain her health. Being far away while a loved one is unwell is incredibly challenging, and it’s heartbreaking to know she struggles to access the blood she needs, as hospitals often face shortages. Her blood type is O+, and while we encourage those close to her to donate, I felt compelled to spread awareness about this critical issue. You never know when you or a loved one might need blood to survive.

When I think of blood donation in Uganda, the Uganda Red Cross Society and Nakasero Blood Bank come to mind. I fondly remember the Red Cross vans that visited our schools, inviting brave students to donate blood in exchange for a drink and a snack. (I wasn’t among the brave ones who took the needle).

Today, blood donation in Uganda is overseen by the Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS) under the Ministry of Health, with the Red Cross as a vital partner, ensuring safe and efficient blood supply nationwide. To be eligible to donate blood, individuals must meet specific health criteria. Before donating, donors receive a free medical checkup, which includes checks for blood pressure, hemoglobin levels, blood type, and malaria and HIV testing (with consent).

Donating blood is not just an act of kindness; it is a chance for donors to monitor their health while providing life-saving support to others, including surgical patients, pregnant women, accident victims, and those with blood disorders. There are various donation locations across the country, as UBTS operates a network of regional blood banks and collection centers in several cities. The Red Cross also runs its own blood donor recruitment programs.

Blood donation is vital, as it saves lives, meets urgent demand, and ensures a diverse blood supply, allowing hospitals to find compatible matches for patients in need. If you have yet to donate, UBTS offers a system that enables donors to designate specific patients to receive their blood. When you donate, you can choose to support a patient, given that your blood types match. If they don’t, your designated patient may still receive priority access to the blood supply. Currently, Uganda requires around 400,000 units of blood annually but often falls short of this demand due to various challenges, including a lack of awareness.

Now that you’re informed, I urge you to consider participating in blood donations. If you are unable to donate, sharing this message with your community will help raise awareness and inspire others to take action. Remember, donating blood is a noble act, and each pint has the power to save up to three lives.

P.S.—If you have blood type O+ and would like to donate, please contact me to designate your blood for my patient.