Guatemala successfully closed its participation in the 6th International Blood Drive Marathon
24% increased the participation of voluntary donors in the country
With the aim of contributing to the promotion of a voluntary, altruistic and regular blood donation culture of safe blood, the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace (GEAP) in Guatemala, held from September 2 to December 19, 2015, the 6th International Marathon “Life is in the Blood”.
The sessions were supported by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, through its transfusion medicine program and the country's blood banks.
The Activists for Peace, days before the start of the 6th International Marathon, promoted the days in shopping centers, educational institutions, plazas, parks, hospitals and national government offices.
They also programmed walks, cultural activities, attended radio interviews and the program “Let's talk clearly”, a television forum that is transmitted by cable Telecom Zacapa, where doubts were cleared regarding the myths that exist regarding the blood donation, between other points.
The activities began with sensitization marathons, which were intended to motivate Guatemalans to be voluntary blood donors, and through this altruistic act show love for others.
A total of 1,127 effective units was the result obtained, increasing by 24% the participation in relation to the result of the 5th Marathon. According to the record of the previous days, voluntary donors repeated their action becoming regular donors.
The International Campaign “Life is in the Blood” managed to supply national and regional hospitals in the cities: Jutiapa, Cuilapa, Amatitlán, Antigua Guatemala, Zacapa, Quetzaltenango, Totonicapán, Escuintla and Guatemala.
Through the Activists for Peace, the Red Cross delegation of Zacapa, gave a recognition to Dr. William Soto Santiago, executive president of the GEAP for the work he does through the promotion and development of blood drives, actions executed by the GEAP in Guatemala.
