Blood Drive Ghana’s 3rd Anniversary Celebration

Ever seen or heard a husband, an expecting father, threatening at the top of his voice, in a blood bank, to commit suicide in a desperate attempt to acquire blood for his pregnant wife in surgery? Or a little girl on the verge of death because she needs blood? Unfortunately, there are many more similar stories (that have not had the desired results as in these cases) and together, we can make a difference. This is how Blood Drive Ghana began.

Blood Drive Ghana (BDG) is a non-profit organisation passionate and driven to save lives through blood donations. We mobilize people to donate blood to various blood banks all over the country. Since its inception in 2018, BDG has successfully organized nearly 60 blood drives and has received 543 blood donations to date. We have been saving and continue to save lives and improve the health of patients and donors. Despite our relentless efforts, it is sad that many people still die (blood banks across the country still face shortages) due to the low volumes and frequency of blood donations. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “to be self-sufficient in national blood supplies (in Europe), a country is estimated to need to maintain a minimum average of 20–25 regular donors per 1000 inhabitants (0.020- 0.025%). National needs vary depending on the local epidemiology of disease, and thetechnologies available to address these.” [1] Blood Drive Ghana estimates that this rate should be a lot higher in Africa, say around 0.08 – 0.10%, due to general relatively lower income levels and the existence of sickle-cell anaemia and prevalence of malaria. Blood is the only essential drug that cannot be manufactured. We can only count on the generosity of our blood donors, partners and sponsors including you to make this essential drug available to the population.

This year, Blood Drive Ghana turns 3 and wants to celebrate with the general public on 25th September 2021 at the Aviation Social Centre, Accra from 7am. There would be aerobics starting at 7am and ending by 8am followed by free health screening (starting from 8am until 4pm) for all who register to be members of Blood Drive Ghana and are connected with us via our social media channels. There would be board games like ludo, ɔware, scrabble, chess, dominos; active (sporting) events like sack race, basketball, lawn tennis, 5-aside soccer, ladies penalty shots. Other activities including, but not limited to dancing, musical chairs, eating competition, etc would also be available. You cannot miss passing through our food bazaar with all the delicious and nutritious meals prepared by our select screened vendors!

Our theme: “Having fun being a Hero” is served!
This celebration doubles up as an avenue to appreciate our blood donors as well as raise

awareness among the general public on the importance of blood donations amidst having fun.

We look forward to receiving about 200 blood donations! We therefore invite all individuals, groups and organisations to be a part of this event. We are grateful to our members, partners, sponsors and supporters: The Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Aviation Social Centre, Health Wealth Access, Ameyaw Debrah, Nana Aba Anamoah, MX24 TV, Sunny FM; BMW Club Ghana, Accra Golden Lions Club, Encounter Ghana, Decathlon.

Kwame Adu-Appeah

(Founder, Blood Drive Ghana)