‘Donating blood is a very noble act in both societal and religious terms . A person donates part of his existence for another person through blood donation.’, on Friday, May 11, Chief Guest and former Advisor to the Caretaker Government Dr. Akbar Ali Khan said these heart-warming words at the Quantum Blood Donor Felicitation Program organized at the National Press Club Auditorium.
He added, ‘Nowadays, we see only bad news when we read the morning newspaper. The environment around us is full of chaos. But today, after coming to this program, I am feeling very much at peace.’
The program was presided by of Director General of Quantum Foundation Madame Nahar El Bukhari. Special Guests to the program included national cultural personality, journalist Kamal Lohani and Principal, Shemorita Medical College Dr.M. U. Kabir Chowdhury.
200 donors who have donated blood more than 10 times were awarded with a silver medal, a certificate and an ID card. 17 donors were awarded a golden crest, a certificate and a special ID card for donating blood at least 25 times. Crests and certificates were awarded to the social service club of North South University for their special contribution to the Voluntary Blood Donation Program.
Special guest to the program, journalist Kamal Lohani commented, ‘Quantum Blood Donation Program has earned the trust of the common people. People have that sense of security when they come to this organization for safe blood.’
Professor of Hematology Department at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Honorary Director of Quantum Voluntary Blood Donation Program Professor Dr. A. B. M. Yunus presented the welcoming speech at the program.
The speakers informed the audience that the Quantum Foundation has been arranging this program since 2003 to encourage voluntary blood donation in our country. To create future blood donors, the foundation is even arranging programs like ‘ Ojeyo 19’ in the school level. In addition, Quantum Foundation has also been successfully preaching the concept of celebrating each birthday with blood donation.
The Quantum Voluntary Blood Donation Program has a donor pool of more than 1.5 lakh donors. A large portion of this pool is regularly donating blood whenever needed. By depending on this donor pool, Quantum has been able to supply as much as 422510 units of blood for the helpless patients all around the country.
On behalf of all the voluntary donors, Ms. Afroza Begum expressed her feelings. Thalassemia patient Salma Akhter complemented it with the gratitude-filled speech of a blood recipient.