Safe Blood Starts with Me - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization
Safe Blood Starts with Me - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization
Safe Blood Starts with Me - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization
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It is our hope that the ideas and experiences outlined in this collection of<strong>World</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Day 2000 stories may also serve as a useful toolkit for bloodsafety activities in the future. We would be pleased to receive any newideas—particularly <strong>with</strong> an educational perspective—to add to our<strong>int</strong>eractive database of blood safety initiatives.In this context, I should like to draw your attention to one such initiativecalled “Pledge 25”, first launched in the 1990s by the youth of Zimbabwe(see Annex 1). Realizing that an adequate and safe blood supply waslargely <strong>with</strong>in their own hands, a group of school leavers set up a clubwhereby they pledged to donate blood 25 times <strong>with</strong>in their life time. Thefirst group of Club <strong>Me</strong>mbers reaching this target were honoured atgraduation ceremonies during the year 2000, many on their 25th birthday.It is thanks to the commitment of this group and their efforts to promotehealthy living among their peers that the availability and safety of theblood supply in Zimbabwe dramatically increased.This initiative has since been successfully launched in neighbouring SouthAfrica. Why not in your country? If you would like to start your own“Pledge 25”, the WHO <strong>Blood</strong> Transfusion <strong>Safe</strong>ty team would be happy toprovide you <strong>with</strong> information and advice.We aim to create a global environment whereby safe donors give bloodregularly and whereby 100% of donated blood is tested before transfusion.It is a case of the three ‘A’s: blood should be available when needed ataffordable costs and used appropriately.This document is organized as follows:IntroductionChapter 1 places WHO’s <strong>World</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Day in context, and describes theobjectives, plans and expected results of <strong>World</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Day 2000.Global activitiesAn occasion to commemorate and to celebrate: opening commentariesfrom WHO/HQ and its principal partner in <strong>World</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Day 2000, theInternational Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.National eventsFive countries are highlighted from each of WHO’s six regions. Eachcountry portrays in words and images its blood safety challenges andsuccesses, accompanied by a regional summary.Annexes and bibliographyA comprehensive set of information for clinicians, national healthauthorities, blood programmes and the general public, is compiled as aneasy-access reference kit.In conclusion, I would like to pass a personal message of appreciation tothose <strong>who</strong> participated in <strong>World</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Day 2000 “<strong>Safe</strong> blood starts <strong>with</strong>me—blood saves lives” and those <strong>who</strong> give blood regularly, voluntarily,and seek nothing in return… Thank you.“<strong>Safe</strong> blood starts <strong>with</strong> me” is indeed a personal message, a reminder thatwe owe it to ourselves, to our friends and family, but especially to those<strong>who</strong>m we may never know, to offer this precious gift of life. Let’s build onthis momentum, let’s make blood safe. It’s up to us.Dr Yasuhiro SuzukiExecutive Director<strong>Health</strong> Technology and Pharmaceuticalsvi ▲ WORLD HEALTH DAY ▼ SAFE BLOOD STARTS WITH ME
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