By Thankgod Inyang
Cross River State Blood Donor Club, BDC joined the rest of the world in marking the World Blood Donor Day celebrated every June 14.
World Blood Donor Day is a day set aside to celebrate blood donors all over the world. Cross River state was not left out of this year’s event as the Club 25 (blood donors club), Calabar chapter joined the rest of the world blood donors club to celebrate.
Declaring the event open, Mr. Okanga Ngim, one of the organizers, apologized for their inability to mark the event on the actual day which is 14th June, 2015 which according to him wasn’t possible because it was a Sunday adding that “We went for thanks giving service and shifted it to Monday 15th June”.
He said that the theme of the event “’Thank You For Saving My Life” was coined to translate the gratitude of blood receivers to donors for donating blood freely to save lives.
The event which took place at the Blood Transfusion Service Center, Calabar South attracted members of Clubs from the University of Calabar, Cross River University of Technology, Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa and other voluntary blood donors across the state.
Speaking during the occasion, Mr. Okon Ikpeme, a 12th time donor lauded members of the club and other volunteers urging them to continue donating blood in order to save lives. He also advised members to encourage their brothers, sisters, and friends who are yet to donate blood to do so, for it’s a service to humanity.
The event featured presentation of gift items to donors between age of 5-10 and above. They include Etta Joseph (5 times donor), John Egba and Okon Ikpeme (10 times donor and among others).
The Blood Donor Club which is also known as Club 25 is an initiative of the National Blood Transfusion Service, NBTS, a youth based club formed to create awareness and encourage voluntary blood donation in and out of schools.