A Consultant Haematologist, Prof. Adedoye Dosunmu, has canvased the need for more Nigerians to cultivate the habit of voluntary blood donation to save lives and enhance access to readily available safe blood. Dosunmu made the call at a lecture organised by the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to commemorate '2024 World Blood Donor Day' on Friday in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Blood Donor Day is celebrated annually on June 14, to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products to save lives. The programme has the theme: Celebrating 20 Years of Giving: Thank You Blood Donors. Dosunmu, a Guest Speaker at the event, spoke on the significance of the day, calling for more advocacy in Nigeria as most people doid not understand the need for regular blood donation. According to him, there is an urgent need to orientate Nigerians on the importance of blood donation, especially as voluntary givers, as it s aves more lives if blood can easily be accessed by the health institution and patients when needed. Highlighting the benefits of voluntary blood donation, Dosunmu said that it reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, depression and elongates life. The haematologist explained that regular blood donors had the opportunity of having regular medical checkup, which predisposed the individual to a healthier lifestyle. He said that an individual could donate blood in three months intervals, which translated to donating blood up to three or four times per year. 'The World Health Organisation explains that blood is an important resource, both for planned treatment and urgent interventions. 'Blood can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. 'It is also vital for treating the wounded during emergencies of all kinds (natural disasters, accidents, armed conflicts, etc.) and h as an essential, life-saving role in maternal and perinatal care. 'Hence, the need for more people to voluntarily donate blood to not only save lives but also help to enhance access to safe and readily available blood,' he said. Prof. Titi Adeyemo, a Consultant Haematologist from the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, LUTH, said that regular blood donors stood the chance of living five years extra than people who were not regular blood donor. Adeyemo explained that blood donation kept the bone marrow active, which in turn kept the individual younger. She decried that Nigeria still heavily relied on family replacement donor, where relatives were forced to donate blood. Adeyemo, therefore, urged people not to wait for an emergency before they start donating blood. 'So, what we have decided to do this year is to also invite secondary school students so that we start identifying and building them young to be regular future blood donors. 'As soon as they are 18 years of age, let them register with any nearby blood transfusion service and start maintaining healthy lifestyles, be committed to regular blood donation and be saving lives. 'It is very safe for people between 18 and 65 years of age to donate blood three or four times a year. 'Blood donation keeps the bone marrow active and once the bone marrow is active, it keeps the individual younger. 'And some evidence have shown that regular blood donors live five years extra than people who were not regular blood donor; because their bone marrow is continually renewed,' she said. The Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, said the day aimed to sensitise people on the importance of having safe blood and blood products in the blood bank to assist health institutions save lives. Represented by the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, LUTH, Dr Babawale Bello, Adeyemo said the hospital partnered with a lot of organisations, communities and the society at large to encourage voluntary blood donation. According to him, for every bl ood donated, a life would have been saved and blood donation creates room for an individual to be tested for physical fitness. A regular Blood Donor, Mr Olumide Omoge, said it gave him joy to save lives through blood donation. According to him, donating blood keeps me fit and my body becomes rejuvenated. NAN reports that secondary school students from different schools across Lagos State were present at the lecture. Source: News Agency of Nigeria