PUNCH
A 41-year-old blood donor, Nathan John, has explained that the willing act to save lives is the reason he has donated his blood 78 times.
He said this on Wednesday, during an event organised by the National Blood Service Commission to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day in Abuja.
The PUNCH reports that the 2023 World Blood Donor Day, themed “Give Blood, Give Plasma, Share Life, Share Often”, is an annual event held worldwide to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation, recognise the contributions of voluntary unpaid blood donors to health care systems and to encourage more people to become regular blood donors.
John, who is the official highest blood donor in Nigeria, added that blood donation is not about money but about giving others a chance to live.
According to him, exchanging blood for money has never been a fascination since the virtue of saving lives became an abiding philosophy he started cherishing about 18 years ago. This is just as he recalled declining a financial gratification of N10 million from a man whose child was at risk of dying owing to blood shortage.
Speaking with our correspondent, John said, “I am so proud to be a regular blood donor. As a donor, it has changed my life and for 18 years, it has been a regular way to give back to society. For me, blood donation is a willing act to save any recipient who is in need of blood.
“As a donor, I see myself as someone who stands in the gap to connect the community, family and everyone who is in need.
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