Voluntary Donor Day: “Together we save lives”
- Written by Lourdes Pichs Rodríguez
- Published in Health
- Hits: 726
Every year, from June 6 to 14, Cuba celebrates the voluntary blood donor week, honoring the solidarity of Commander Fidel Castro, who was the first to donate blood to help the victims of the 1970 Peru earthquake.
With the historical image of the Cuban Leader donating his blood after the earthquake, which cost the lives of some 70 thousand people and left thousands of injured and missing, besides dozens of communities devastated, Holguín begin the activities on June 1 and culminate on the 14th, Voluntary Donor Day, with recognition for those involved in this noble cause in support of life.
This event highlights the importance of blood donation to save lives in surgeries, accidents, serious illnesses, and treatments such as cancer or transplants.
Dr. María Eugenia Castro Batista, director of the Provincial Blood Bank, said that a single donation can save up to three lives, as three blood components: concentrated erythrocytes, plasma and platelets, are obtained from each bag.
Castro Batista recalled that blood is an irreplaceable resource that can only be obtained thanks to the generosity of donors, considered anonymous héroes who deserve daily recognition.
The official opening ceremony will take place on June 6th at the Pediatric Hospital Octavio de la Concepción de la Pedraja, with the participation of outstanding people involved in this altruistic task.
The Provincial Blood Bank, located on 7th Street No. 10, between 10th Street and Los Libertadores Avenue, in the Peralta neighborhood, welcomes donors Monday through Saturday in the morning, inviting everyone to join under the motto: “Donate blood, donate hope: together we save lives”.
