Seventh International Marathon increase their figures from volunteer donors increases in Sonora

At the University of Sonora, Nogales Campus (UNISON), on April 14, 2016, the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace (GEAP) held a day of blood donation in alliance with the State Blood Transfusion Center (CETS). The event was supported by Dr. Edgar Velazquez, director of CETS and coordinator of the university, Atty. Sheila Rivas.

According to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), Mexico should annually have 5 million voluntary donations, but only register around one million seven hundred thousand; for this reason, the GEAP applies strategies to increase the number of donors in the country.

Through the implementation of the Educational Communicational Program for the formation of a culture of voluntary, altruistic and regular donation of safe blood (PEC-LIFE) and the realization of International Marathons "Life is in the Blood", the Activists for Peace motivate people to become voluntary donors. (See: International Launching of the Communication Educational Program for a Blood Donation Culture).

Students, donors and volunteers participated in the International Marathon

More than 300 students participated in an awareness lecture prior to the day of the blood donation marathon. Among the issues raised by GEAP volunteers, they highlighted: the importance and benefits of being a blood donor, and the myths that prevent people from participating in this altruistic act.

A team of doctors, bio-analysts and CETS nurses, collaborated with the activity attended by 40 volunteers which resulted in 14 effective units of blood. The young people who participated have been added to the list of new donors.

The WHO states that to meet the needs of blood in a country, donors must be between 1% and 3% of the population. The GEAP in Mexico continues to carry out the Seventh International Marathon "Life is in the Blood" a nationwide event, in order to further increase the number of volunteers and regular donors.