Dubai: Dubai Holding – a diversified global investment company with operations in 13 countries – and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) have successfully concluded ‘The Perfect Gift is Saving Lives’ blood donation campaign securing 770 blood units for Dubai Blood Donation Centre (DBDC). The campaign, which ran for three months, marked the second official drive as part of the long-term partnership aimed at encouraging Dubai residents to donate blood.

The campaign kicked off on 1 April 2021 and operated using a state-of-the-art blood donation bus contributed by Dubai Holding to DBDC. The blood donation bus conducted 26 visits to 16 locations of Dubai Holding’s communities and retail destinations across the Emirate where currently more than 300,000 people live and work, providing added convenience while ensuring compliance with COVID-19 protocols and safety measures. These include City Walk, The Beach, La Mer, Bluewaters, Last Exit Al Khawaneej, Boxpark, Mudon, The Villa, Shorooq, Ghoroob, Layan, Remraam, Al Khail Gate, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Barsha Heights and The Executive Towers at Business Bay. The campaign saw strong participation across all the locations, with almost 920 donors representing 71 nationalities, many of whom have also registered with DBDC to become regular donors. In addition to increasing awareness among the community about the need for regular blood donation, the campaign has generated considerable interest from other large-scale corporates and entities to launch similar blood drives in support of DBDC using the Centre’s blood donation buses.

To support the joint efforts and help in boosting Dubai’s blood supplies, Dubai Holding employees volunteered nearly 160 hours on site, which involved coordinating with DHA staff, supporting with registration, and facilitating walk-ins by inviting guests in the vicinity to come and donate blood. The on-the-ground support during the blood drive is among a number of volunteering activities in which Dubai Holding employees partake regularly as part of Dubai Holding’s ongoing responsible business initiatives aimed at making a positive difference in the wider community. 

Khalid Al Malik, Managing Director of Dubai Holding said: “We are pleased to have concluded yet another successful blood drive together with Dubai Health Authority. ‘The Perfect Gift is Saving Lives’ campaign successfully mobilised the community in support of the important mission of Dubai Blood Donation Centre, encouraging hundreds of people to become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood, including Dubai Holding employees and our community members.”

“The campaign has helped raise awareness about the need for regular blood donations so that all individuals and communities have access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products in both normal and emergency situations. At Dubai Holding, we are proud to be contributing to community wellbeing, the bedrock of our nation’s development and progress,” he added.

On this occasion, Dr Hussain Al Samt, Director of DHA’s Pathology and Genetics Department, highlighted the significant success of ‘The Perfect Gift is Saving Lives’ and the role it played in reinforcing the capabilities of Dubai Blood Donation Centre in achieving the maximum response to medical conditions requiring blood transfusions. He also thanked Dubai Holding for the continuous efforts and support to achieve such an accomplishment which reflects the Group’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian campaigns that positively impact the community. 

Dr Al Samt also expressed his appreciation to blood donors from across the community as well as participants from both entities who contributed to the success of this campaign and the many campaigns that DBDC conducts. He encouraged everyone to continue donating blood for the benefit of patients, especially those with Thalassemia who require regular blood transfusions.

DBDC receives blood donations from more than 149 nationalities with more than 65,300 registered blood donors, and the Centre provides around 50% of the total blood collected in the country, ensuring that those in need in both public and private hospitals have access to safe and timely supply of regular blood and blood components such as platelets and plasma.