Success of blood donation programmes lies on their publicity, exemplified by a recent one which drew some 250 people solely through a Facebook event page and some posters pasted around the Brac University (BracU) campus.
The opinion came from Joutha Monisha of Brac University Community Service Club, who also informed that in the end 166 students, staff and teachers were able to donate on passing a screening test.
The club organised the event in association with Bangladesh Thalassemia Society at the BracU auditorium on Wednesday, 6 November 2019.
Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder causing defects in production of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
This results in large numbers of red blood cells being destroyed, which leads to anemia. Patients on an average require one or two bags of blood every month.
The club said the collection was threefold the amount required by Bangladesh Thalassemia Society Hospital every month.
Of the blood that the hospital provides to patients, 25 percent comes from donations, 50 percent from patients’ friends and family and the rest from varying sources.
The club said they would be providing donors a certificate alongside screening results from the hospital which can help avoid taking the test again.
Student clubs of the BracU regularly hold the campaigns. In January 205 bags were collected, a three-year high. Last year, 178 people made the donation and 153 the year before.