Number of voluntary blood donors is rising

The number of voluntary blood donors is on the rise in Moldova, with the percentage of non-remunerated donations increasing from 11% in 2005 to 35% at present. Svetlana Cebotari, the director of the National Blood Transfusion Center, told Info-Prim Neo that while today there is no deficit of donors, it is necessary to change popular attitudes toward donation. As Chisinau is holding a National Blood Collection Campaign during June 1-14, Svetlana Cebotari says people need to be made aware of the necessity to donate blood systematically. “We have sufficient blood in our supplies, but blood cells, like any other living organisms, have a lifespan and thus we need blood permanently to refresh our supplies”, explained Svetlana Cebotari. This year's Blood Collection Campaign is held under the slogan “Each Blood Donor Is A Hero” and aims to encourage voluntary, non-remunerated donations. Around 80,000 blood donations are registered each year, which can save up to 150,000 lives, and 25,000 of these donations are voluntary. In the future, the health authorities plan to increase the number of voluntary donations at a rate of 5% per year. The Blood Collection Campaign will end on June 14, when the world marks the Blood Donor Day, established by esolution of the World Health Assembly in 2005.