I.

Imagine your father has just suffered a heart attack and must undergo open-heart surgery in order
to repair the damage, your little nephew or niece baby was born with a heart defect and required
daily transfusions of blood in order to have a chance at survival or your best friend has just been
diagnosed with leukemia, a disease requiring regular transfusions of platelets. Naturally, you’d
expect to find all your solutions at the nearest hospital but what if this is not the case.

Not very nice images are they, but these things happen and unfortunately must be happening in
some part of the world or in our very own medical facilities in Fiji while you and I are just talking
about it.

Did you know that we all have the power to save lives? Yes we do. You don’t have to be a superhero
with special powers to do so. All you need is a healthy you and the nearest blood bank.

Respected guests, panel of judges, fellow orators, and my dear listeners. Indeed, I am humbled to be
standing amidst you all to advocate on such an auspicious topic which could change one’s mindset
and help save a life.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am here to deliberate on this year’s theme for World Blood Donor Day
and I quote; “BE THERE FOR SOMEONE ELSE. GIVE BLOOD.SHARE LIFE”

Blood donation is one of the most significant contribution a person can make towards the society. It
is not harmful for an adult to donate blood since the body of the donor can regenerate the blood
within few days and it poses no threat to the metabolism of the body.

Transfusion of blood and blood products help save millions of lives every year. It can help patients
suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer high quality life. It supports complex medical
and surgical procedures. It plays life-saving role in maternal and child care adversities.

On that note, 14th June every year signifies World blood donor day. It raises awareness on regular
blood donations as an action of solidarity to save lives. This year’s theme highlights the fundamental
human values of altruism, respect, and empathy to sustain voluntary unpaid blood donation systems.
The slogan, “Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life”, intends to draw attention to
encourage people especially young adults like us to care for one another and perform our civic duty
of donating blood.

According to IRCF.org and I quote

“About 108 million blood donations are collected worldwide each year. Almost half of these are
collected in high-income countries, home to 15 per cent of the world’s population. Despite an
increase of almost 8 million blood donations from voluntary unpaid donors from 2004 to 2011,
equitable access to safe blood still does not exist for many of those who need it”. As a result, blood
transfusion is not available to many of the world’s most vulnerable population.

Why go far? A recent article from The Fiji Times dated 20th May, 2018, where the Medical
superintendent of the CWM Hospital Dr Jemesa Tudravu, in a statement, urged the public to
assist patients who needed urgent blood transfusions.

He also reminded the public that the blood unit at the Ministry of Health and Medical
Services usually conducts blood drives but sometimes the demand is high and there was an
immediate need for donations.
As such, a system of regular and voluntary non-remunerated blood donation is critical for high-
quality blood service delivery in any nation. Promoting equity, access, quality and safety of blood
and blood components is indispensable to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

In many countries including Fiji, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies act as auxiliaries to
their government, play an important role in promoting safe sustainable blood programmes.

The Fiji Red Cross society was born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination. Apart from
providing humanitarian assistance, the organisation holds blood drive to assist medical fraternity in
times of emergency. There are 16 Fiji Red Cross Society branches around the country focusing on
building safe, healthy and resilient communities in Fiji. Two important way we can help is either
become a volunteer or make blood donations if anyone is between the age of 16 to 65 years of age.

One cannot deny the fact that “Blood connects us all”. It is amazing how blood is the one intrinsic
element that is a truly universal link, that connects each of us; transcending race, language, religion
or nationality. No matter where you are in society, it is the one thing that you can give, and save the
life of another human being. We must advocate an important message for the whole world including
Fiji to embrace the fact that “Humanity still exists in us!”

Remember:

When you give blood

You give another birthday, another anniversary, another day at the beach

Another night under the stars, another talk with a friend,

Another laugh, another hug

And most importantly another choice.

Thank you.

Do you know how you can save someone’s life..