Mexico united in a tribute to voluntary blood donors

Peace activists from 11 states in Mexico celebrated World Blood Donor Day (June 14), through events that the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace (GEAP) held as a tribute to voluntary blood donors, with acts of recognition, blood drives, press conferences and awareness-raising activities for the public.

The national coordination of the GEAP in Mexico joined the activists from different regions of the country with the objective of scheduling the celebration in partnership with the health institutions and blood banks of the country, as well as educational institutions, companies and the general public.

Chihuahua, Coahuila, Chiapas, Mexico City, Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Yucatan joined the celebration of this day with the motto of the 11th Blood Drive Marathon: "With love from my heart I donate blood" that promotes the donation of blood as an act of love towards other human beings.

Recognition of Karina Sánchez Ruiz

On June 13, 2018, in a ceremony held in the city of Matías Romero, Oaxaca, the National Coordination of the GEAP presented a recognition to the federal legislator Karina Sánchez Ruiz, for having promoted the initiative for the advancement of a culture of voluntary blood donation.

The legislator confirmed the linkage of the GEAP in this initiative. For his part, he established a commitment to convert Oaxaca, his home state, into the first state entity that will officially implement the "Life is in the Blood" Program, through agreements with the State Secretariats of Education, Culture and Health.

Tribute to voluntary donors

Villahermosa: In coordination with the Regional Hospital of High Specialty "Dr. Juan Graham Casasus" the activists organized a blood drive where various institutions, medical personnel, media and the general public participated. On this day, 36 effective blood units were obtained. Next, the acknowledgments were given to outstanding volunteer donors.

Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz: The Regional Hospital "Valentín Gómez Farías" of Coatzacoalcos and the Regional Hospital "Miguel Alemán González" of Oluta, were the scenarios for the celebration of World Blood Donor Day, where the altruistic action of voluntary donors was recognized.

The event was attended by representatives of Universities that have adopted the Integral Program Life is in the Blood: Luz Anel Delfin, rector of the Universidad de Oriente (UO) and Luis Alfonso Chiu, of the Inter-American University for Development (UNID).

Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas: With the presence of guests from the educational, medical, military and social assistance sectors, the celebration of World Blood Donor Day was held at the Children's Hospital of Tamaulipas. Roberto Rodríguez de la Garza, deputy medical director, gave the welcoming words. Juana María Cárdenas Serna, director of the State Blood Transfusion Center (CETS), on behalf of the State Health Department, urged to practice this act that saves lives.

For the GEAP, Norma Trejo, National Vice-Coordinator, presented the Integral Program "Life is in the Blood" and reported on the recent law amendment issued before the Health Commission, which seeks to contribute to the establishment of a culture of blood donation, in legislative matters.

Actions that save lives

Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, celebrated the day with a blood drive in the company "Ediasa Adient". GEAP workers and activists donated blood using the slogan "With love from my heart I donate blood and save lives". In this day of solidary action of the workers, 60 effective blood units were achieved.

Gulf Zone, Veracruz: Poza Rica. In an event organized by the CETS of the city of Veracruz, the GEAP received recognition for promoting the culture of blood donation. During the day, 22 volunteer activists and the general public donated this vital liquid tissue. Simultaneously, in Xalapa and Tehuacán educational sessions of the organizational scope were held.

In the southern area of ​​Veracruz, blood collections were performed at the Oluta-Acayucán General Hospital "Dr. Miguel Alemán González "and in the Regional Hospital of Coatzacoalcos" Dr. Valentín Gómez Farías ", with a result of 43 effective blood units that can be used by more than 160 patients.

Puebla: The activists attended as volunteer donors to the Traumatic and Orthopedic Hospital "Rafael Moreno Valle" and to the General Hospital of the municipality of Zacatlán achieving a registry of 27 people, with a result of 23 effective blood units.

Pachuca, Hidalgo: From June 11 to 14, the activists donated blood in the General Hospital, obtaining 22 effective units. In this way, voluntary, altruistic and regular donation of safe blood is promoted.

Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico, 8 GEAP volunteers were recognized at an event held at the General Hospital of PEMEX. The director of the institution, Elder Arias, mentioned: "I thank you, as the director of this hospital, for what you do to donate something of yours to save lives."

For his part, Genoveva Prado, head of the blood bank, said:

"It is a great honor to have your presence, to save anonymous lives, you represent that generation of human beings with a high respect for life."

San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León: The celebration was held in the main square of San Nicolás, with a blood drive, with a registry of 54 volunteers, resulting in 37 effective donations. The participation of a group of 18-year olds, sensitized in voluntary donation. The event was attended by the mayor of the city, Alfredo Cuadra Tinajero; the director of health, Gregorio García Hernández among other personalities.

San Juan Chamula, Chiapas: A day of awareness in voluntary blood donation took place in the church "El Renuevo de David", located in the Cumchulutic community, with the participation of 250 people. 57 attendees registered as voluntary donors and 46 effective blood units were obtained. Later, in an act held at the Hospital de la Mujer, the head of the Bleeding Post, Julio César López Cansino, presented acknowledgments to 22 voluntary blood donors.

Importance of awareness

Merida, Yucatan: On June 14, peace activists held an educational session for 61 students of the dentistry faculty at the Universidad del Sur, Mérida campus, with the aim of sensitizing the students about the importance of voluntarily blood donation, in preparation for the blood drive that will take place during June in this university campus.

Oaxaca de Juárez: In this municipality, a meeting was held with Mayor Jaime Alejandro Velázquez Martínez and with personnel from the Social Communication Department, to coordinate awareness-raising activities and educational sessions of the "Life is in the Blood" program, aimed at the staff of the town hall. An interview was also conducted with the state television CORTV, to promote the 11th Blood Drive Marathon carried out by the GEAP.

Torreón and Matamoros, Coahuila: Volunteer activists from the GEAP gave awareness talks at the Rural Hospital # 79 of the IMSS "Prospera" in Matamoros. Likewise, they promoted the voluntary blood donation culture at "Benito Juárez" Primary School in Torreón, in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade groups, sharing the knowledge and sowing the seed that will be transmitted through the students to their parents.

Mexico City celebrated the "World Blood Donor Day", carrying out educational sessions of the PEC-LIFE Communicational Educational Program in the College of Bachelors of Xochimilco, to promote the culture of voluntary, altruistic and regular donation of safe blood.