By Edward Makuzva
As the world prepares to commemorate World Blood Donor Day, the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is calling on citizens to unite in celebrating and supporting the heroes—voluntary blood donors—who give life through their selfless acts.
“Every drop counts, every life matters” is the mood as Zimbabwe gears up to celebrate World Blood Donor Day in Kadoma, recognizing the selfless acts of blood donors who save countless lives every year.
Speaking ahead of the commemorations on Monday in the capital, NBSZ Chief Executive Officer Lucia Marowa, revealed that the National Blood Service Zimbabwe is part of the global community in the field of transfusion medicine.
She said, “Every year on the 14th of June, we join the rest of the world in commemorating World Blood Donor Day.”
The NBSZ Chief Executive Officer highlighted that this day is truly dedicated to thanking the selfless men and women who give blood time and again to save lives across various health institutions in different countries.
Marowa emphasized the importance of the day and the critical role blood donors play in Zimbabwe’s health sector.
“This day is really dedicated to thanking our selfless men and women who give blood time and time again to save the lives of those in need,” she said.
A New Home for Commemorations: Kadoma
She added that this year, for the first time in its history, the World Blood Donor Day national commemorations will be held in Kadoma, hosted by the Harare branch of NBSZ. The main event will take place at Jameson High School and is expected to attract hundreds of donors, stakeholders, and community members.
“This is a historic moment for us. We have gone to other provinces in past years, but this time we’re coming closer to home, and we are excited to have Kadoma as our host city,” Marowa said.
The celebrations are being held under the theme “Give Blood, Give Hope: Together, We Save Lives.”
Marowa noted that the NBSZ is not only recognizing the contributions of unpaid blood donors but also using the occasion to raise public awareness about the ongoing need for safe and adequate blood supplies across the country.
“This year, we are actually doing this campaign under the theme Give Blood, Give Hope: Together, We Save Lives. By giving blood, you are giving someone hope, and together, we are actually saving lives.
“This focus has four prompts, as usual. The first thing we want to do is raise public awareness on the need for safe and adequate donations of both blood and plasma—because it’s not always whole blood that we can give,” she added.
A Lifeline for Many
Marowa revealed that blood transfusion is a key pillar of medical care in Zimbabwe—supporting accident victims, surgical patients, women with pregnancy complications, and individuals living with chronic conditions like sickle cell anemia and cancer. Yet, the demand for safe blood and blood products continues to outpace supply, making every unit of blood donated a vital resource.
“By giving blood, you are giving someone hope. Together, we are actually saving lives,” Marowa reiterated.
A Call to Action
Beyond celebration, the Chief Executive Officer stressed that World Blood Donor Day is also a time for action. NBSZ is calling upon government ministries, health authorities, corporates, and development partners to invest in strengthening the blood donation infrastructure.
“This includes funding mobile collection drives, awareness campaigns, and the advanced technologies needed to safely process blood into components like plasma and platelets.
“We are also calling for sponsorships and partnerships—even just advocacy. If you’re 16 to 60 years old, in generally good health, and weigh over 50 kilograms, you are eligible to donate. We need you.
“This year, we are targeting to collect 97,500 units of blood. That’s actually a carryover from last year’s target. We aimed to collect 88,450 units last year, and we managed to reach 82% of that—about 77,020 units.
“But we are saying that despite only achieving 88% of our target last year due to operational challenges, we have done our best to address those issues and are now scaling up to a target of 97,500,” Marowa said.
Reconnecting with Old Donors
Marowa reaffirmed that the campaign also seeks to re-engage past donors who may have stopped giving blood due to life’s pressures. Many Zimbabweans donate blood during high school but do not continue into adulthood. NBSZ is encouraging those lapsed donors to return and reignite their life-saving contribution.
“Life gets busy, but the need for blood never pauses,” Marowa noted. “We urge you to come back and donate again.”
Sharing Stories of Hope
Central to this year’s campaign will be stories from recipients of blood transfusions and regular donors who have made saving lives their mission. These testimonials highlight not only the medical impact of blood donations but also the emotional and communal bonds forged through the act of giving.
Through these stories, NBSZ hopes to foster a culture of solidarity, compassion, and civic duty—values it sees as the bedrock of its mission.
The Bigger Picture: Universal Access
Ultimately, Zimbabwe’s World Blood Donor Day is a reflection of a global movement toward ensuring universal access to safe blood. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long emphasized the importance of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation as the foundation of a safe and sustainable blood supply.
Marowa reaffirmed NBSZ’s commitment to that global vision.
“We want to ensure that every person who needs blood receives it—on time, every time.
“We are also encouraging donors—both new and old—meaning those who may have lapsed or only donated in high school and, because of the pressures of life, have stopped. We are encouraging you to come back again and continue to give blood,” she said.
As June 14 approaches, the call is clear: Whether by donating, advocating, or partnering, Zimbabweans from all walks of life are invited to be part of this life-saving mission.