Tawam Hospital, in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine, launched its third annual blood donation campaign. The month long initiative that began on May 15th, 2010 continues as a run up to International World Blood Donor Day on June 14th, 2010 under the theme New Blood for the World.

Would-be donors are encouraged to visit Tawam Hospital’s Regional Blood Bank - one of the largest free standing blood donation centers in the UAE - where they can help save the lives of people undergoing critical operations at the hospital and across the UAE. Tawam Hospital hopes to welcome more than 50 donors each day at the Regional Blood Bank in the run up to World Blood Donor Day. The Blood Bank is open for donations from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

“Tawam Hospital is holding its campaign again this year to raise awareness of the need for blood in all hospitals in Al Ain and the Eastern Region of the UAE,” said Dr. Steve Matarelli, Chief Operating Officer of Tawam Hospital.

“Statistics show that one in four of us will require a blood transfusion at least once in our lifetimes – that’s someone in every family. The need for blood supplies can vary depending on the region and time of year, but as donor qualifications continue to become stricter and as the donor population ages, our nation runs the risk of running out of critical blood supplies. With this campaign we want to convey the importance of regular volunteer blood donation, and encourage the younger generation of the UAE to save lives by donating blood. As many as three people’s lives can be saved as a result of just one donation,” he added.

Donating blood is a fast and simple procedure. Blood donors can donate up to half a liter of blood (one unit) ) every two and half to three months; this amount is small, given that the body contains five to six liters (10 to 12 units) of blood. The full blood donation procedure, takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes.

“The need for blood increases during holidays and summer months, where people are more likely to be traveling and are active during these times, and are at an increased risk of accidents. This campaign is essential because blood cannot be manufactured; it can only come as a gift from people. Although only five per cent of eligible donors across the nation actually donate blood, the number of donations nationwide is increasing by 20% every year, which is a great sign of the generosity of people across the UAE. However the need for blood is also increasing, so we need more people to donate, and donate regularly,” said Hamad Al Mulla, Technical and Administrative Director, Regional Blood Bank, Tawam Hospital

The Al Ain Police Department, Military, Al Ain Municipality, Ministry of Education, Universities, Colleges and companies from across the private sectors as well as some local societies, are all regular donors. The Al Ain Sport Club signed an agreement to become part of the Tawam Hospital blood donation campaign in 2007.

There are a number of different blood types - O positive and negative, A positive and negative, B positive and negative, AB positive and negative. Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups, but in an emergency, anyone can receive type O Neg red blood cells, therefore people with type O blood are known as ‘universal donors’, and those with type AB blood are known as ‘universal recipients’.

Tawam Hospital is part of the SEHA HealthSystem and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA) which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The hospital is managed by Johns Hopkins Medicine International.
 

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