As the Word Marks World Blood Donor Day today, June 14 Ms Aisha Dafalla the highest female blood donor recognised by the Kenya Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) is championing for a culture of donation blood in the country
Dafalla, aged 59 who has donated blood seventy-five times totaling to 37.5 liters of blood, began in 1981 when she was a form three student.
The selfless act of bravery by the mother of three was noticed in 2016 when she was recognised as the top Female donor in Kenya by The World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health
“This Year’s slogan for the World Donor Day campaign is ‘Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often’… KNBTS will be commemorating the day at Archives building in Nairobi CBD, where the public can come and donate blood,” she said.
Dafalla who was also appointed an ambassador for blood donation in Kenya last year, by the former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, has been mobilising and sensitising Kenyans to adopt a culture of Donating Blood on a regular basis
“I have created a WhatsApp account with over 300 people and a Facebook account where patients or caregivers can ask for blood and people from the group can volunteer to go and donate,” said Dafalla.
She further encouraged people shun myths and stereotypes that discourage donating blood, as it is a way to save lives of many people who were affected by diseases and conditions.
“It is important to give blood or plasma regularly to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can be always available, so that expectant mothers, cancer patients, accident survivors and all patients in need can receive timely treatment,” she added.
Dafalla who spoke to KNA exclusively in Kiambu when she attended a data protection Commissioner meeting as a representative of Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), revealed that she will be attending these year Cancer World Conference held in Miami, USA thanks to her role in Empowering communities for Life saving Impact through blood donation in Cancer care
“Usually, I go to festivals and gathering to encourage people to donate blood, if we could get funding from both the national and county government, we could organize even more blood donations in all 47 counties,” she said.
World Blood Donor Day aims to raise awareness regarding the need for regular blood donations, as well as to thank donors like Aisha Dafalla for their service and determination to save lives and make the world a better place.
According to a last year’s report from The Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority (KTTA) the County has registered an increase of 15 new blood banks to the current 45 up from 30 in the previous year.
By Grace Naishoo
