The Red Crescent has launched a blood donation campaign with the Association of Cancer Warriors, an organization that has been conducting various projects to fight cancer since 2015. The campaign, which was introduced at a press conference held today at the Red Crescent Blood Center in Fatih, emphasized the relationship between cancer and blood donation. It was stated that blood donation rates had dropped during the pandemic and that blood is a constant need.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Belma Kurdoğlu, President of the Association of Cancer Warriors, said, "Today, we are launching a new campaign here to highlight the blood needs of cancer patients. In society, it's often thought that blood is only needed for traffic accidents and surgeries. However, according to statistics from the USA, 25% of the total blood supply is used just for cancer patients. Therefore, blood is a real need for cancer patients. We are here to emphasize this and to invite our community to donate blood. The Turkish people have a positive attitude towards blood donation, but as you know, the pandemic caused a huge problem not only in our country but all over the world. This is because blood donation rates have significantly decreased. In our country, a drop is usually only seen during the summer and in the month of Ramadan. We invite all our people to donate blood because, remember, by giving blood, you are giving life."
"BLOOD IS A CONSTANT, NOT AN URGENT, NEED"
Dr. Metin Kalender, Director of Blood Donor Management at the Red Crescent Blood Services, said that the current blood stocks are being managed by 18 regional blood centers, 68 blood donation centers, and their affiliated units. Kalender stated, "As of today, the Red Crescent meets approximately 92% of our country's blood needs. To briefly touch on the COVID-19 period, when a disaster, infection, natural disaster, or another major event occurs in the country, the team responsible for this system must have reached a certain stock level. Current data shows that it seems that a blood donation target will be met, or even exceeded, with the goal given by the Ministry of Health. Nevertheless, it should be noted that a few days or months from now, this will be thanks to our citizens who donate blood every day. Blood is a constant, not an urgent, need. We invite everyone to donate blood."
The campaign will continue with blood donation events at various institutions.