Adventist youths who donated blood ahead of Easter holidays (Photo K. Mavundutse)

A joint collaboration spearheaded by Seventh-Day Adventist church in conjunction with National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has been launched as a driving force to urge the public to donate blood.

The event was held at the First Mutual building in the Kwekwe CBD recently.

It is this time of the year that is characterized by shortage of blood because of high road-accident rate.

“We took advantage of International Youth of Compassion Day to urge not only Adventist youths but everyone in general to do good by donating blood to save lives, especially now that the Easter holiday is ahead of us,” said Tendai Samamba, the District youth elder in Kwekwe circuit.

Tray with donated blood. In the background, Adventist youths queuing to donate blood in Kwekwe ahead of Easter holidays (Photo K. Mavundutse)

“Adventist youths should grow up knowing that they have a responsibility to the society especially for the underprivileged. The Kwekwe General Hospital, the largest government hospital in Kwekwe, has given us the Female Surgical Ward to be our responsibility,” he said.

The Midlands Provincial Customer Relations Officer of NBSZ, Aggrey Ngazana, called on churches to conduct such programmes as it will attract people to donate blood.

Ngazana also said, “Donating blood can save lives and it enables oneself to know other disease affecting him or her apart from HIV”.

An Adventist youth identified as Sandra Nyawo had this to say, “This is just the beginning. We are willing to donate blood regularly”.