By Usman Aliyu
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Edo, in partnership with Florish Foundation for Women and Youths, led a large turnout of corps members in a voluntary blood donation exercise in the state.
The donation drive, held at the Military Hospital in Benin City to mark World Blood Donor Day, aims to support sickle cell patients and strengthen emergency care in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 100 corps members donated blood, alongside medical partners including the National Blood Service Agency and Bright Path Development Hub.
In his address, Dr Frances Ben-Ushie, Edo Coordinator of NYSC, said the initiative was driven by the urgent need to support individuals living with sickle cell disorder.
Ben-Ushie was represented by Mrs Funmilayo Oluwatoyin, the NYSC’s Assistant Director of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme.
“Access to safe blood remains a matter of life and survival for many warriors.
“Today’s blood donation drive is not just a health intervention; it is an act of humanity, compassion, and national service.
“Our corps members have shown once again that service to humanity remains the foundation of the NYSC,” she said.
The coordinator expressed appreciation to all supporting organisations, describing their collaboration as “a noble contribution to saving lives.”
In his remarks, Brig.-Gen. Paulina Aburime, Commander of the Military Hospital, commended the corps members and organisers, stressing that increased public awareness on blood donation could save many lives.
“Pregnant women lose their lives because they don’t have blood. The same happens in emergency surgeries. Blood donation is something we must continue to encourage,” she said.
On his part, Omotayo Adesuyi, who also represented Ben-Ushie in her capacity as the founder of Florish Foundation for Women and Youths, highlighted the life-saving impact of voluntary blood donation.
“Each pint of blood collected could mean the difference between life and death for a child with sickle cell disorder, a mother in childbirth, or an accident victim.
“Every donor here today is a quiet hero,” she said.
Dr Ikejiofor Prudence, who is serving with the Military Hospital and initiator of the idea, explained that the effort was borne out of the critical need for timely blood supply.
“When a patient urgently needs a transfusion and blood is unavailable, even the most skilled doctor can do very little.
“In those moments, the true lifesaver is the person who donates blood,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yetunde Fatungase
