Hamdan donates blood; invites people to join 'my blood for my country' drive

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has urged UAE people to donate blood for the ill and accident victims, saying one drop could save a human life.

Sheikh Hamdan said donating blood by Emiratis and expatriates is the "best expression of their love of the UAE," reports Arabic daily Emarat Alyoum.

He said all people should respond to an annual blood donation campaign launched at the International Village in Dubai under the title 'my blood for my country' to mark the 44th anniversary of the UAE National Day.

"Blood donation is the perfect gift to the country and the best expression of love to the homeland. Every drop of blood donated by a national or an expatriate can save a man’s life," said Sheikh Hamdan, chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

"Donating blood is a good message from a man to another because a donor gives his blood to unrelated person who could be of another nationality or who he never met before…this is a real humanitarian message,” he told Emarat Alyoum daily.

He said blood is needed for those injured in accidents on roads and other places, as well as ill people suffering from Thalassemia and other diseases.

Sheikh Hamdan said he is pleased with the results of the blood donation campaign over the past three years, adding that more than 2,500 blood units had been collected.

"This has contributed to saving the lives of hundreds of patients and accident casualties."

Photo Caption: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai participating in annual blood donation campaign launched under the title 'my blood for my country' to mark the 44thanniversary of the UAE National Day. (Pic courtesy: Emarat Alyoum)