The Regional Secretary for Health joined today the celebrations of the World Blood Donor Day in Angra do Heroísmo by donating blood and delivering gold medals to donors registering more than 60 donations.
 
"This day is marked to remind the importance of blood donation so that other patients may receive blood transfusions in critical situations. Therefore, donating blood is synonymous with donating hope,"said Rui Luis. He spoke at the ceremony held to distinguish blood donors registered in the Blood Service of Santo Espírito Hospital on Terceira Island.
 
Overall, 13 donors registering more than 60 donations were distinguished at the ceremony. This tribute will also be paid in due time to the blood donors of Horta Hospital, with two medals, and the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada, with three medals.
 
In 2017, a total of 3,500 donations were made in the three regional hospitals, where there are currently around 5,000 active donors.
 
The Secretary for Health joined the celebrations of this Day by donating blood to the Blood Service of Santo Espírito Hospital on Terceira Island.
 
The date was also marked with the registration of another 20 donors in this Blood Bank, aged between 18 and 34, who were available for the first blood donation.
 
"In the Region, the majority of donors are between the ages of 25 and 44; those who are over 65 are no longer able to be donors. Therefore, we want to increase the number of donors, encouraging young people to become blood donors," said Rui Luís.