FNU marks World Blood Donor Day
The Fiji National University’s (FNU) Department of Student Support Services under the Office of The Registrar organised a weeklong blood donation drive at campuses across the country to celebrate World Blood Donor Day.
The blood drive was coordinated as part of the University’s Corporate Social Responsibility and community engagement initiative.
This is also aligned with the FNU’s Strategic Plan 2021-2026.
It emphasises student experience as one of its key pillars whereby individuals are provided with the best possible experience that allows them to develop personally, morally, and spiritually as well as intellectually, and to thrive, learn, question and succeed as global citizens.
Celebrated annually on June 14, World Blood Donor Day is t o spread awareness about donating blood to save lives and the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion.
FNU general practitioner, Dr Henry Waqa, said the day honours the significant contribution that voluntary blood donors make to national health systems.
“For a health system such as ours which at most times faces a critical blood shortage, recognising and applauding the contribution of countless unpaid and voluntary blood donors is the least we can do to honour their act of kindness,” Dr Waqa said.
FNU Registrar, Sarita Devi, thanked the many students who came out to support the cause and donate blood.
“This week it was inspiring to see many young students, some with a fear of needles, step up to give blood for those who required it,” Ms Devi said.
“They join the ranks of the many blood donors throughout Fiji and the world who we can truly say are the unseen and unsung heroes of our society. FNU is proud of them.”
For final year LLB student,
Emi Cabemaiwai, donating blood was an opportunity for her to give back to the community and those in need of blood.
The 22-year-old said she had once needed blood having been admitted to the hospital for an illness. It was then that she realised how crucial blood donations were in saving lives.
“When I came across this opportunity, I knew I had to donate. In a way, this is an opportunity for me to help someone,” she said.
Ms Cabemaiwai praised the university for coordinating the initiative and hopes more individuals can donate blood.
“There is always someone who needs blood and this is a great initiative to help save lives.”
This initiative was coordinated in collaboration with the National Blood Services of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.