Expatriates donated 102 units of blood to help patients in Jeddah recently. A total of 115 volunteers turned up for donating blood at the King Fahd Hospital (KFHJ). The campaign, which was sponsored by Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), Jeddah Region, started at 1:30 p.m. and ended at 6 p.m. The volunteers, who donated blood pledged to continue donating on a regular basis in the future. A standard health screening procedure was done prior to blood being donated. Each donor underwent tests for blood pressure, sugar and hemoglobin count before the donation. The checks also included for communicable diseases. The blood donation was carried out under the direct supervision of Mazen Al Quraishi, coordinator of Blood Bank, Sultan and Hamood in charge of the Blood Bank. "The blood will be distributed among patients who need them in government hospitals in Makkah region," said Al Quraishi. The Ministry of Health does not import blood. Rather, all needed blood is collected from residents and citizens of the Kingdom who make voluntary donations. At the end of the campaign Sadiq, one of the Blood Bank authority, thanked the organization for conducting this campaign to help those who are in need of the blood. Mohamed Munaf, the organization's president, said that this campaign was the 19th such blood drive of this nature for TNTJ. "The noble act of donating blood not only gives a new lease of life to many, but also increases our sense for social responsibility. We donate blood for emergency cases also," he added. Salahudeen, spokesperson of the campaign for TNTJ said, "TNTJ has been the No. 1 organization in conducting these blood donation campaigns for the last ten years. In recognition of its services, hospital authorities have awarded more than 10 awards to TNTJ praising their work." "We conduct these campaigns in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Qur'an: ‘Whoever saves a life will be as if he has saved entire mankind.' (Chapter 5 verse 32). Surely, this will help in creating social harmony and raze hatred among us." he added. — SG
