By Tupou Vaipulu
A Blood Drive was held at the Tonga Red Cross Society headquarter on Friday 13 June 2025, where volunteers gathered to donate blood.
A total of 22 people volunteered to donate blood, however, only 13 were able to successfully donate, as some blood samples were found unfit for donation due to medical reasons.
Red Cross staff and health workers were on hand to assist the donors and ensure the process went smoothly and safely. Each donation is a contribution for Vaiola Hospital.
The Blood Drive was followed by the World Blood Donor Day on Saturday, 14 June, with this year’s theme: “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives”.
The event highlighted the importance of donating blood and saving lives.
Every year, millions of lives are saved through blood transfusions, supporting:
- women experiencing complications during pregnancy and childbirth – hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths worldwide;
- children suffering from severe anemia due to malaria or malnutrition – particularly in low-income countries where blood is often scarce;
- Patients undergoing complex medical treatments – such as individuals with sickle-cell disease, thalassemia, hemophilia, or immune disorders;
- emergency response efforts – blood is critical for trauma victims, accident survivors, and those impacted by disasters or armed conflicts.
