Celebrating 20 years of giving: Thank you Blood donors.
The Fiji Red Cross Society marked World Blood Donor Day 2024 with a special breakfast event at Paradiso, expressing heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and partners who made this year’s four-week blood drive a tremendous success. The Chief Guest for today’s event was Dr. Krupali Tappoo of the Sai Prema Foundation.
The event highlighted the ongoing high demand for blood in Fiji and the crucial role of blood donors in saving lives. This year’s blood drive, launched in collaboration with Essity, New Zealand Red Cross, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), successfully recruited 1,350 donors, with 924 individuals giving blood.
In her address to the attendees, Director General Ragigia Dawai emphasized the importance of the blood program and the challenges it faces. “Despite the enormous need for blood in our hospitals, our blood program receives very little funding,” Dawai stated. “At Fiji Red Cross Society, our primary role is to recruit and register voluntary blood donors. The dedication of our partners and sponsors is vital to sustaining these efforts and ensuring we can meet the blood needs of our communities.”
The breakfast event served as a platform to celebrate the contributions of blood donors within the Fiji Red Cross Society and to thank our sponsors and partners, whose support has been instrumental in the success of the blood drive. Dawai highlighted the ongoing partnership with Essity, New Zealand Red Cross, and IFRC as a cornerstone of the program’s success, thanking them for their unwavering commitment and collaboration.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of Essity, New Zealand Red Cross, and IFRC,” Dawai added. “Their partnership not only enables us to organize these blood drives but also strengthens our capacity to serve the people of Fiji. Together, we are making a significant impact and saving lives.”
Fiji Red Cross Society would also like to thank Paradiso Restaurant and Bar for kindly allowing us to host our blood donors and providing a beautiful spread for breakfast.
The Fiji Red Cross Society remains committed to addressing the blood needs of the nation and continues to encourage more individuals to become regular blood donors. The success of this year’s blood drive shows the power of collaboration and community spirit.
For more information about the Fiji Red Cross Society’s blood donation initiatives or to become a bood donor or support our blood program, please email our Health Coordinator, Salote Maramciriciri on salote.maramaciriciri@redcross.com.fj .
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About Fiji Red Cross Society: Fiji Red Cross Society is a humanitarian organization dedicated to building healthy and resilient communities and serving the most vulnerable. With a presence in all 4 Divisions through our 16 Branches, Fiji Red Cross offers a wide range of programs in disaster response, health promotion, community resilience, and more. Through its network of dedicated volunteers and staff, Fiji Red Cross strives to alleviate suffering, restore hope, and build resilient communities. Fiji Red Cross Society has been serving communities in Fiji for more than 50 years.