The Regional Government will launch this year a pilot project aimed at encouraging young people to donate blood, stated the Regional Director for Youth in Horta.
 
Lúcio Rodrigues said this pilot project stemmed from the “establishment of synergies” between the Regional Directorates for Health and Youth, the Horta Hospital and the Faial Blood Donors' Association, admitting that it could be “replicated on other islands.”
 
The Regional Director for Youth spoke Tuesday in the context of a meeting with Faial Blood Donors' Association. On the occasion, he stressed that the Regional Government's investment throughout this legislative term in “increasing civic participation of young people” is evidenced by their "significant adherence to volunteering programmes."
 
According to Lúcio Rodrigues, “young people are the ideal vehicles pass on the message to young people themselves,” and for that reason "it makes perfect sense to invest in the importance of blood donation with young people and for young people."
 
The Regional Director stressed that this project will take place in two phases, the first being "dedicated to the promotion of blood donation among young people" while the second "will focus on blood collection."
 
“Blood donation is an act of citizenship and one of the greatest acts of volunteering in our society,” stated the government official. He also noted that “when we give blood, we give anonymously and without knowing to whom it is intended; this is a great act of volunteering and generosity towards others.”
 
“With this project, we want to create an impact and awaken young people to this reality. It is important to reach out young people on the ground, especially at schools, with a view to raising their awareness for the importance they may have already today, whether in the dissemination of this initiative or in blood donation itself," stressed Lúcio Rodrigues.