Emmanuel Adebiyi
Smile Builders Initiative, in collaboration with UCH Blood Bank, held its 5th edition of a blood donation event tagged, Donate-a-Pint Project 5.0. Smile Builders Initiative, is a non-governmental organisation whose aim is to tackle non-communicable diseases through sensitisation of people to adopt healthy life choices.
The program which was held at Alexander Brown Hall Table Tennis Court was done in partnership with other associations like Federation of African Medical Student Association and University of Ibadan Medical Students Association.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Operations at Smile Builders Initiative, Mrs Zainab Aderohunmu, a 500-level medical student at the University of Ibadan, enlightened everyone on the importance of blood donation.
"It goes a long way, and we never really know how much it helps until we are the ones in need. It does not even have to be in a program like this, we can walk into a blood bank at any time to donate a pint, and they would be happy to have you", she said.
One of the partners for the event, Miss Nwaobi Princess, the Local Officer of NiMSA Public Health and Advocacy Team, UIMSA Chapter, also emphasised that a simple act of donating a pint can save a life.
"It is also an act of selflessness hence let's join hands together to debunk myths surrounding blood donation and ensure that safe blood is available for those who need it", she said.
At the end of the program, over 60 pints of blood were donated by different individuals who would later get an electronic donor's card.
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