On the occasion of yesterday’s World Blood Donor Day, the Presidency of the Republic organized, for the seventh consecutive year, in collaboration with the National Blood Donation Center (E.K.E.A.), a voluntary blood drive at the Presidential Palace.
The event was attended by citizens and volunteer blood donors from the National Center, staff from the Presidential Guard and the Presidency of the Republic, as well as from the Association of Employees of the Hellenic Parliament.
The President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, congratulated the 145 volunteer blood donors who participated in the campaign with the central message “A Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives,” and, in a statement, emphasized: “Today, at the Office of the President of the Republic, we are honoring World Blood Donor Day. And we are honoring it in practice for the 7th consecutive year, by organizing, together with the Ministry of Health and the National Blood Donation Center, a voluntary blood drive involving dozens of people, staff and officials of the Presidency of the Republic, civilian and military personnel, as well as Greek citizens, who wanted to be with us today in this significant contribution of theirs.”
At the same time, he reminded us that “voluntary blood donation is a gift of life. Fortunately, in Greek society, thanks to proper information provided by the ministry and the National Blood Donation Center, the concerns and fears that are wrongly associated with blood donation have been overcome. It is a very simple procedure, taking no more than ten minutes, and the gift that results from this procedure is incomparably greater.”
Greece aims to become self-sufficient in blood
Mr. Tasoulas pointed out that “Greece aims to become self-sufficient in blood. We are close to achieving self-sufficiency thanks to responsible citizens who understand their role through social contribution,” and added: “As President of the Republic and as a citizen of this country, I would like to thank our blood donors and congratulate the National Blood Donation Center and the Ministry of Health for their contribution, nationwide, to a successful and effective blood donation campaign, the ultimate beneficiary of which is each and every one of us.”
He also noted that “anyone and everyone may need blood, from the simplest issue to the most complex health problem, and that is why today is a day for spreading awareness and highlighting the mission of blood donation, but in reality, every day of the year is a day for blood donation. Because every day of the year, and especially during the most difficult summer days when blood donations tend to decline, we must carry out this duty.”
“Today, here, at the Office of the President of the Republic, this duty is being carried out in an impressive manner, and all those involved in this process deserve congratulations,” concluded Mr. Tasoulas.
In attendance were the Deputy Minister of Health, Marios Themistokleous, the president of the National Blood Donation Center (EKEA) Elena Tsagkari, as well as members of the Board of Directors of the National Blood Donation Center.
