Monrovia, 18th June 2018:  Liberia’s voluntary unpaid blood donors were acknowledged as the country joined the global community to commemorate the 2018 World Blood Donor day under the theme, “Be There for Someone Else. Give Blood. Share Life”. The commemoration of the day provided an opportunity to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to motivate people in good health who have never given blood to begin doing so particularly young people.

Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Health Minister for Administration, Hon. Norwu Howard, who was also the first donor of the day, described voluntary unpaid blood donors as “Heroes and Angels on earth”.  She used the occasion to call on all eligible Liberians to change from the concept of paid blood donation and transition to voluntary unpaid blood donation. According to her, “this is the only way to maintain adequate supplies and achieve national self-sufficiency of blood supply”.  She further said that everyone had an opportunity of becoming somebody’s hero through the act of voluntary unpaid blood donation.
 The Program Manager of the National Blood Safety Program, Mrs. Lwopu Bruce in her remarks  stressed  that voluntary blood donors  are not only the safest blood donors, but  are also the foundation of sustainable and sufficient national blood supplies that are needed to meet the needs of  patients.  She indicated that Liberia has a   history of paid blood donation where blood donors request money for their blood, and family replacement donors make up 95% of the donor blood pool. She than congratulated especially students for donating more blood over the years.
 Mrs. Bruce said that the program will continue to focus on schools as the   primary target during the program’s outreach activities and called on communities to be committed voluntary unpaid blood donors. She then expressed gratitude to stakeholders citing WHO among the many partners, who have continuously provided support; both technical and financial assistance to the program since its establishment in 2009.
Mrs. Victoria Katawera Nyanzi, Laboratory Team Lead, WCO Liberia representing the WHO Country Representative, read the message of the Regional Director of WHO in the African Region Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.  According to Dr Moeti, this year’s theme encourages people to care for one another by donating blood.  She thanked all voluntary unpaid blood donors and encouraged them to continue this noble gesture of giving blood - the gift of life. She encouraged the Ministry of Health to continue efforts to strengthen the national blood services to enhance national access to sufficient and safe blood. 
Also making remarks at the occasion were: the Academic Consortium Combating Ebola in Liberia (ACCEL), the Chairperson, Marketing Association, Religious and community leaders.  The event was also marked with musical entertainment and Dramas to sensitize the audience. This was followed by, the presentation of certificates to outstanding regular donors,  a counselling section, and donation of blood by voluntary donors; with the Deputy Health Minister Ms. Norwu Howard being the first donor of that day.
 Other activities implemented prior to the main event included:   a live and phone in radio talk show, and the launching of a community sensitization blood drive that will help to break any myths or barrier to blood donation.