World Blood Donor Day takes place on 14 June each year. The aim is to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems. The day also provides an opportunity to call to action to governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources and put into place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.

To mark the 2021 ‘World Blood Donor Day-themed “Give blood and keep the world-beating,” staff of Wema Bank, Nigeria’s leading innovative bank, in partnership with the Department of Haematology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) have volunteered to donate blood to affirm the bank’s commitment to helping save lives.

This voluntary blood donation, the second in three years, has seen over 50 staff members take part in the exercise. This year’s edition which took place on Thursday, June 17, 2021, at the Bank’s corporate head office in Marina, Lagos saw over 40 staff taking part, ably aided by staff of LUTH.

Speaking on the significance of the exercise, Head, Marketing Communications and Investor Relations, Wema Bank, Funmilayo Falola reiterated the importance of blood donation. “To keep the world pulsating, it is important to say that blood connects us all; hence, blood donors have continuously saved lives and improve the health of the world”, she said.

“This purely voluntary initiative is our staff’s way of contributing to the important process of saving lives. For us as a bank, it is an opportunity for us to restate our industry leadership stance beyond financial services by entrenching health consciousness, creating awareness and providing a platform to encourage Nigerians to make timely voluntary blood donation a unique part of their lifestyle”, she added.

Speaking on behalf of the donor staff, Morolake Phillip-Ladipo, Team Lead, Reputation Management and External Relations, Wema Bank said the World Blood Donor Day which is globally observed every June 14 is very important in the bank’s staff calendar, who excitedly look forward to taking part in the exercise which they hope will help save lives of people in need of blood.

“It’s that time of the year again. Though, a little anxious, but the thoughts of knowing you are giving blood to save other lives brings you endless joy,” she said.

Adeyinka Adewale, Chief Medical Laboratory Technician, Department of Haematology & Blood Transfusion, LUTH commended the staff of Wema Bank for their sacrifice, saying it shows that more and more Nigerians are keen on donating blood, and look forward to World Blood Donor Day.

“This type of initiative makes our job as doctors much easier, and we are confident that the blood donated will help save lives. We aim to take this initiative with Wema Bank across the country, partnering with more stakeholders, and we believe that this enthusiasm will help deepen awareness about the importance of blood donation to the healthcare system’, he said.

The blood donation initiative is part of the bank’s iVolunteer @ Wema Scheme which aims to create opportunities for employees to share their skills, talent, time and resources through volunteering to the cause of humanity and sustainably adding value to the society through health sensitization.