Mutare, 14 June 2012 -- Zimbabwe’s young “blood heroes” were acknowledged and honored as the country joined the rest of the world in celebrating world blood donor day under the theme “Every Blood Donor is a Hero”.

This year’s commemorations were held at Sakubva 2 High School in Mutare. Sakubva 2 High School donated the highest number of blood units in the Manicaland province and nationally in 2011. For coming out tops, the school received a floating shield, certificate, and a top of the range PC and Color Printer.

In his speech to mark the day, the Chairman of the National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) Rtd Justice Leslie George Smith paid tribute to the young blood donors from Sakubva 2 High School, and congratulated them for donating more blood than any other school in the country. He said the NBSZ has great pride with regard to the involvement of young blood donors and urged the young donors to look after their health so that they can continue donating safe blood.

The Director for Epidemiology, Disease Prevention and Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Portia Manangazira represented the Minister of Health and Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera at the commemoration.

She said the Ministry of Health is indebted to the young blood donors for providing safe blood because safe blood transfusion is one of the key medical interventions in the health care delivery system. She hailed the donors as heroes and encouraged others to donate more safe blood.

In a speech read on her behalf by Dr Samukele Hadebe , Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe appreciated the young blood donors for supplying the nation, and especially women with adequate and safe blood.

She said in Zimbabwe young donors aged 16-29 years form the backbone of blood donation, providing 79% of the blood bank, yet over 80% of the blood is used by adults. She said the message for the day is that every donor is not just a hero but a super—hero who leaves a legacy of saving lives. She, therefore, urged all young donors to continue donating safe blood, and encouraged adults to also donate blood so that the blood bank always has sufficient stocks to support life.

WR Zimbabwe, Dr Custodia Mandlhate also echoed the same sentiments in her statement. She emphasized the importance of collecting safe blood and ensuring the availability and accessibility of blood to a large number of people to save more lives.

She also hailed the young voluntary non-remunerated blood donors, and expressed hope that this generation of enthusiastic and motivated “blood heroes” will form a pool that provides the safest possible blood for use in health facilities wherever and whenever it is needed. “This day is meant to thank all donors for their blood, and ask them to renew their commitment to remain regular voluntary non remunerated blood donors” said Dr Mandlhate.

The students of Sakubva 2 High School kept people entertained with poetry, song, dance, and drama extolling the virtues of donating safe blood.

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