By Olanrewaju Akojede

Twin Sisters, Taiwo and Kehinde Yusuf  have recounted their four-year experience of voluntary donation of blood, an exercise which they described as fulfilling.

The Yusuf twins narrated their experience to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the 6th Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive.

NAN reports that the Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive is a programme organised by an NGO,Timilehin Leukemia Foundation (TLF), where  people are encouraged to participate in  voluntary blood donation.

The 2023 edition with theme “Gift Someone a Pint of Blood this Valentine” was held at Textile Labour House, 10, Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja and the Mechanic Village, Ogba on Feb.14.

On the voluntary blood donation, Taiwo Yusuf, a writer and blogger, told NAN that the exercise was more rewarding than any financial gain people might want from it.

“Voluntary blood donation for me is a good exercise to engage in. I love doing it freely since 2019 when I first had the experience.

“I have yet to have any negative implication since I started donating, infact I do feel healthier and fulfilled helping to save lives.

“I can’t donate my blood for money because lives are more important than money that can be offered. At least from 2019 I have donated for about seven times.

“I will like to encourage more people to join in this noble exercise because it has no negative effect instead, it makes people more healthy,” she said.

For twin Kehinde, the exercise helps her to keep balance and be fulfilled.

“Blood donation is now part of me and whenever I want to donate, I do that with my twin. We have the support of our parents as well.

“It has been interesting all the way for me because whenever I donate blood I am hopeful that new blood will be replaced in a short while.  I am not losing anything.

“It keeps me in shape.

“I feel healthy donating blood. It is something I do look forward to whenever I am called upon,” she told NAN.

Mrs Ronke Ojo, a 42-year-old hairdresser, who was also at the drive, told NAN that her first experience as a blood donor was pleasant.

“ I was assured that the process is not painful  and will not  have any negative effect.

“I want to thank the organisers because we were not left alone. We were provided lunch and other refreshments and also blood tonic. This is a nice programme,”she said.

The convener of the Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive, Mrs Janet Oyedele, described the exercise as fruitful as it would go a long way in saving the lives of the patients in need of blood.

“I thank all the donors for their efforts. This is one of  the noble activities we need in the society- the act of saving lives which does not require any hardship,” she said.

NAN reports that the Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive was supported by Fidson Pharmaceutical Ltd and Lagos State Blood Transfusion Department. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu