Show your love to a stranger by donating blood at the Valentine’s Day Blood Drive – a two-day campaign that aims to save lives across Cambodia.
On February 11 and 12, the National Blood Transfusion Centre (NBTC) in Phnom Penh is opening its doors to the public for a two-day blood donation drive organised by VOICE, an Australian charity that supports and empowers people experiencing marginalisation and socio-economic disadvantages in Cambodia.
Why should I donate?
In Cambodia, Thalassaemia Major is a highly prevalent genetic blood disorder that has bio-psychosocial and economic impacts on children and their families. Due to a lack of blood donations in the country, many children with the disorder do not receive regular treatment. This can cause delays to development, bone deformities, weakness and fatigue.
Without treatment, a child diagnosed with Thalassaemia Major is unlikely to live to 15-years-old.
Each month, VOICE clients with Thalassaemia Major need more than 30 blood donation cards to receive life-saving blood transfusions.
How do I give blood?
It’s an easy and painless process. The donation itself takes about 10 minutes and has the potential to save multiple lives.
The NBTC states that to donate blood in Cambodia, people must be aged 18 to 60, weigh 45kg or more, be in good health and must not have an infection that can be transmitted through their blood.
The two-day drive takes place on February 11 and 12, from 8.30am to 11.30am. The organisers are asking donors to register so they can prepare for the number of people. This can be done via the Facebook event page or by emailing [email protected].
On the day, all you need to do is bring your ID and Covid-19 vaccination documents.
