HMC announces sponsors for World Blood Donor Day celebration

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) today announced sponsors of its annual World Blood Donor Day celebrations to be held on 14 June in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health and under the auspices of Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, the Minister of Public Health.

The theme for 2016 year is "Blood Links Us All" and this year the event will recognize donors and organizations who have supported blood donation efforts in the community. More than 250 contributors among individuals and institutions in community-based initiatives, including citizens and other residents of Qatar will be honored at the ceremony.

The sponsors are:

• Platinum sponsors - Social and Sports Activities Support Fund and Qatar National Bank
• Gold sponsors - Alfardan Group of Companies and Qatar Gas Company
• Silver sponsor - Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO).

Mr. Ali Abdulla Al Khater, Chief Communications Officer at HMC’s Corporate Communications Department, thanked the sponsors for their support for the Blood Donor Recognition Ceremony 2016 and for their support for HMC’s Blood Donor Center. Speaking at the press conference held today to announce the sponsors, Mr. Al Khater  said: "Blood donation is a noble act and it is important for our society to be aware of its importance as a means of saving the lives of sick and injured patients in need of blood and blood products.”

The Blood Donor Center has collaborated with the Corporate Communications Department to celebrate the World Blood Donor Day by jointly organizing activities through organizations, schools and youth centers within the Qatari community. Ms. Sadiqa Al Mahmoudi, Medical Director at the Blood Donor Center said blood donation was ingrained in our culture and this event is the culmination of efforts to support the Center by the wider community. “We have organized this event to honor voluntary blood donors, to recognize initiatives undertaken by the individuals and institutions,” she said. “This has involved campaigns and interactive programs which helped our Blood Bank to maintain its stocks of blood and blood products.”

She added that the Blood Donor Center is taking the lead in the voluntary donation of blood for the sixth consecutive year recording 100 percent blood sufficiency, remaining the highest rate in the region.

“The total number of registered donors of blood and blood products from January 2002 until end of February 2016 was 189,449 donors while the total number of blood units drawn during the same period was 144,805,” she said. “This accomplishment is added to the vital role of HMC’s Department of Medical Laboratory and Pathology, based on the national vision strategy, Ministry of Public Health and HMC’s strategy to improve blood transfusion services in the Qatar.”