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The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) has expanded its annual blood donation events to six locations, two of which are in Abu Dhabi, and one in Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah and this year in Ras Al Khaimah.
NBAD has combined forces again with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, which operates under Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), a SEHA health system facility, and the Ministry of Health’s Department of Blood Transfusion & Research Services to conduct seven blood donation days throughout February.
The annual blood donation event kicked off with employee donations on 4 February at the NBAD Branch in Khalidiya, continuing for both employees and members of the public over two days at One NBAD Tower on Khalifa Street. On 12 February, blood donation will take place at NBAD Al Ain Clock Tower and then at Dubai’s Emaar Square Tower on 19 February. NBAD Ras Al Khaimah is the newest venue, with a blood donation day on 23rd and NBAD Sharjah on 26th February. Donation points are outside the branches for both staff and members of the public.
“The NBAD Blood Donation Days are very important as they bring our employees together with our community to donate the gracious gift of life. We are very proud that this annual event has grown significantly over time, expanding not only in the number of venues, but in the number of committed donors who take just a few minutes out of their busy lives to give a lifetime to someone else ” said Belinda Scott, Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability at NBAD.
“Since 2006, NBAD blood donation campaigns have drawn more than 3,600 donors,” she said.
In addition to saving lives, donors receive numerous health benefits such as preventing the accumulation of toxic quantities, lowering the iron level in the body, which helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, and reducing blood pressure and blood glucose. Moreover, when donating blood new and fresh blood is formed in the donor’s body.
The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank medical staff performs tests on blood donors for hemoglobin, blood pressure and blood type. The blood collection process takes approximately 10-20 minutes per donor while the entire process from the time volunteers register and begin the screening until they leave took approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Volunteers provide nearly all the nation’s blood supply for transfusion; there is no substitute for human blood and eligible blood donors can donate blood 3-4 times a year safely.
On average, the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank organises seven blood donation drives weekly in cooperation with different organisations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Universities also cooperate with the Blood Bank to organise blood donation drives for students; shopping malls for visitors; and companies for staff. The blood collected through the Blood Bank in campaigns or in its campus covers the needs of public and private hospitals in Abu Dhabi as well as other Emirates. Blood transfusions often are needed for trauma victims due to accidents and burns, heart surgery, organ transplants, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia.
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