Hundreds of residents in Sekondi Takoradi turned out in large numbers for a Valentine’s Day blood donation drive organised by Media General’s Connect FM in partnership with the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
According to Simon Boateng, Blood Donor Organizer for the Effia Nkwanta Hospital, the facility is currently facing a severe shortage of blood for patients in need, as voluntary blood donations have declined.
He is therefore calling on the general public to donate blood to help save lives.
Valentine’s Day, celebrated globally on February 14 as a day of love, took on a deeper meaning in Sekondi-Takoradi this year.
Media General’s Connect FM, in partnership with the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, organised a blood donation drive to help save lives in the region.
The event drew hundreds of residents who turned out in a remarkable show of support.
Speaking in a sideline interview, the Events and Promotions Manager of Connect FM, Nhyira Paa Kwesi Simpson, said the exercise forms part of the station’s corporate social responsibility of giving back to society.
He added that it also seeks to disabuse the minds of people who think Valentine’s Day is about sexual exploitation and engaging in other immoral activities.
“”One of the core mandates of Connect FM is that we are a community-focused entity, and this exercise fulfills one of our core mandates as a station to serve the people of the Western Region and beyond.
We strategically fixed the event for Valentine’s Day to disabuse the minds of people who think Valentine’s is all about sex and engaging in other immoral acts, instead of giving to others who are in need to have God’s blessings.” Paa Kwesi Simpson stated.
On his part, the Blood Donor Organizer for the Effia Nkwanta Hospital, Simon Boateng, commended Connect FM for organising the blood donation drive to help save lives in the region.
He added, however, that the facility is currently facing a severe shortage of blood for patients in need, as voluntary blood donations have declined. He is therefore calling on the general public to donate blood to help save lives.
“The hospital is currently in dire need of blood, and as a result, we are unable to provide services to some clients who require it including pregnant mothers and other critical patients.
We are therefore encouraging everyone willing to help save lives to come forward and donate. We want to prevent deaths and spare families the pain of losing a loved one due to a lack of blood. We commend Connect FM for organizing this exercise,” he said.
Residents who participated in the exercise spoke about the importance of taking advantage of the blood donation opportunity, noting that it is good for the body.
Gyasi Quarshie, a donor, believes donating blood helps blood cells to regain new strength and boosts the wellbeing of donors.
Emmanuel Mensah, Mary Baidoo, and Aishatu Karrim say Valentine’s Day doesn’t only mean buying gifts for loved ones alone, but donating blood to save lives is something everyone should do to protect others from losing their lives.
The blood donation exercise was sponsored by Provident Insurance, Bam of Gilead, and Ahantaman Rural Bank, with support from the Ghana Tourism Authority, Cocoa Processing Company, Cocobod, and God is Love.
Meanwhile, the Management of Connect FM has promised its commitment to continue the blood donation drive to help save lives in the region.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
