The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Edo State, in partnership with the Florish Foundation for Women and Youths, organised a large-scale voluntary blood donation exercise on Friday.
The event, held at the Military Hospital in Benin City, marked World Blood Donor Day and aimed to support sickle cell patients and enhance emergency healthcare services in the state.
About 100 corps members participated in the drive, joined by medical partners including the National Blood Service Agency and Bright Path Development Hub.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, Edo NYSC Coordinator, highlighted the urgent need to support individuals living with sickle cell disorder.
She was represented by Mrs. Funmilayo Oluwatoyin, NYSC Assistant Director of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme.
“Access to safe blood is a matter of life and survival.
”Today’s donation drive is not just a health intervention, it is an act of humanity, compassion, and national service.
”Our corps members have once again shown that service to humanity remains the foundation of the NYSC,” she said.
Brig.-Gen. Paulina Aburime, Commander of the Military Hospital, commended the corps members and organizers, stressing the importance of public awareness in blood donation to save lives.
“Pregnant women and emergency surgery patients often lose their lives due to lack of blood. Blood donation is a lifesaving act we must continually encourage,” she said.
Omotayo Adesuyi, representing the Florish Foundation for Women and Youths, emphasised 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 stated.
Dr. Ikejiofor Prudence, serving with the Military Hospital and initiator of the drive, noted 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.
The initiative was widely praised for fostering community spirit and raising awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation.
