Full marks for Cyprus on World Blood Donor Day

Cyprus holds the highest proportion of blood donations in terms of population, the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) said on Wednesday.

In an announcement to mark World Blood Donor Day, the TIF said that patient access to safe blood is still unequal worldwide, but that Cyprus “has, for years, been self-sufficient in meeting the blood needs of its patients.” These findings are a result of both the TIF’s own research and data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the National Institutes of Health, Cyprus’ ability to keep up such self-sufficiency is particularly important given that inherited blood diseases, mainly β-thalassemia, is more prevalent in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Southeast Asia than in other regions. In countries such as Cyprus, Greece and Italy, the TIF said that about 20-40 per cent of the total amount of blood donated goes to managing patients with hemoglobinopathies.

“The greatest good that someone can offer to his fellow man is his own blood. Being in solidarity and offering to society as a whole is a personal responsibility and at the same time our greatest strength,” the TIF said.

To mark the day, the First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides held a blood drive and press conference at the Presidential Palace.

To inspire voluntary blood donations, the TIF has published a series of pro-volunteerism messages and graphics on their online campaign this month. Throughout June, it will continue posting patient stories on social media so as to thank those who have donated.