This year Adeje is the official HQ for the annual blood drive, as nominated by the Canarian Hemotherapy Institute (ICHH), and has been launching a series of campaigns to encourage the local population to donate blood if and when they can, and join the ‘red energy’ brigade.
This week there have been activities for school goers, explaining the important role blood plays in saving lives. The pupils of primary schools in Fañabe, Los Olivos, Las Torres, Adeje Casco, Tijoco, Armeñime and the secondary schools in Los Olivos and El Galeón have been learning about this vital fluid.
The workshops have been for 5th and 6th classes in primary schools through educational games and presentations about how blood is the circulatory system in our bodies, how it works with the heart, keeping us healthy and alive.
“The aim of the activities is to make our school students fully aware of the importance of regular blood donations”, explained the councillor for health, Amada Trujillo Bencomo, adding that “students have shown a huge interest in the theme and I am sure they will be encouraging their families to donate blood and will themselves be donors when they are over 18”. The councillor, herself a qualified paediatrician, added that it was very important that young people come to realise that donating blood is really vital, which is why this schools campaign was such a key part of the campaign, “raising awareness from an early age”.
The older students in the two secondary schools took part in a series of digital workshops, again underlining the important role blood donations play in saving lives. Students learnt how much blood courses through our veins, the different blood groups and the part they play, as well as resolving issues surrounding who can donate blood, where, how much, and who might not be eligible to donate and why.
During the activities the councillor thanked the personnel from the ICHH and the directors of the participating schools for their commitment and help in organising the events.
“We can all play our part, directly or indirectly, in promoting blood donations and guaranteeing a regular supply for the health services”, said the councillor.
The next public drive will take place on June 14th in the Adeje Cultural Centre. If you are interested in donating you should make an appointment by calling 922 756257 (Mon-Fri, 9am – 2pm).
