On 29 April, the Branch of the University of Białystok in Vilnius hosted a voluntary blood donation drive entitled "A Drop of Blood — as a Gift!".
The event was organised by the Student Self-Government Council of the UwB Branch in Vilnius in cooperation with the Polish Medical Association in Lithuania and the Blood Centre (VUL Santaros klinikų Kraujo centras), and attracted considerable interest.
A total of 33 people took part — students, university staff, as well as external stakeholders and supporters of the initiative. Among them were experienced donors who regularly participate in similar activities, individuals who had long been planning to take part, and those who spontaneously — on their way to class — decided to seize the opportunity and donate blood for the very first time.
Blood donation is an extraordinarily important and necessary act of solidarity. Blood cannot be produced artificially or replaced by any medication — the only source of blood is another human being. By donating just 450 ml of blood (less than 10% of the total blood volume in the body), one can make a real difference to the health and lives of others — a single donation can help as many as three people.
It is worth emphasising that regular blood donation is not only safe, but also constitutes a form of care for one's own health — each time, donors undergo basic health tests and checks. Furthermore, those who are particularly committed to voluntary blood donation may be awarded the title of Honorary Blood Donor and, in the future — upon meeting specified conditions — may also apply for additional social benefits.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for their generosity, their willingness to help, and their contribution to this exceptional initiative. It is thanks to such attitudes that the health and lives of others can be genuinely saved.
Photo: Dominika Liplianska
