The first blood donation drive for 2017 was markedly different from the norm. Rather than using the mobile unit, the Conference Hall within BOV Centre in Santa Venera was transformed into a veritable blood donation hub.
These drives have become a regular event in the calendar of events for BOV employees, as they rally their support towards the Blood Bank. However on this occasion, the blood donation drive was different, as Charles Azzopardi Head PR & Marketing within the Bank explained, "This time round, the Blood Donation Drive was organised within BOV Centre itself. It was only a few days prior to the event that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Mobile Unit was not available. Several employees had already booked their slot and we did not want to disappoint anyone. Therefore the team took immediate action to make alternative arrangements and transformed the Conference Hall into a blood donation hub, whilst ensuring that all Health & Safety standards were adhered to."
Thanking the BOV employees for their keen response, which yielded 38 bags of blood in four hours, Mr Angelo Degiorgio, Manager Blood Donation Services at the National Blood Transfusion Unit said, "The demand for blood is constantly on the increase. In Malta we depend entirely on volunteer donors for the supply, and therefore blood donation drives, like the ones regularly organised by Bank of Valletta are crucial to ensure we retain an adequate reserve throughout the year." He went on to thank the Bank's organising team for their ongoing support, whilst encouraging other entities to take the initiative and organise similar events.
In view of the fact that this blood donation drive was organised close to Valentine's Day, the theme chosen was 'Share the love this Valentine, in recognition of the fact that when one makes a blood donation, that blood can save up to three lives.
Anyone interested in making a blood donation may contact the National Blood Transfusion Unit in Pietà between 08.00 am and 06.00 pm or call on Free Phone 8007 4313.
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