Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana in collaboration with Nova Premiere Ventures Ltd has held a blood donation exercise aimed at supporting children with cancer.
This forms part of quarterly donation drives organised by Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana, in February, May and September, with ad hoc exercises conducted as needed.
The event, which was held last Friday at the Nurses and Midwifery Training College (NMTC) in Korle Bu, drew dozens of student volunteers and partners.
The exercise also sought to collect at least 300 pints of blood to bolster treatment efforts for children undergoing cancer therapy at various hospitals.
Importance of exercise
The Executive Director of Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana, Akua Sarpong, said timely access to blood and blood products was crucial to the survival of children with cancer, especially those undergoing chemotherapy.
“Cancer treatment for children makes them extremely immunocompromised.
Without readily available blood, their outcomes are not good.
This exercise ensures that when a child walks in for care, they get the blood they need on time, at the right place and under the right conditions,” she said.
She explained that the organisation supported a range of needs for children with cancer, from diagnostics such as CT scans and MRIs, to chemotherapy, surgery and hospital-based education.
Ms Sarpong also stressed the importance of early detection and awareness of childhood cancer, emphasising that symptoms often mimic common childhood diseases such as malaria, which leads to late diagnosis.
She expressed appreciation to the National Blood Bank and student volunteers from the NMTC community for their participation.
Call to action
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Head of Operations for Nova Premiere Ventures Ltd, Stephanie Dede Narnor Kannae, said her mother’s death from Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a form of blood cancer, due to a rare B-negative blood type), inspired the company’s commitment to blood donation.
“During her treatment, she needed three to four transfusions a week.
We saw firsthand how empty our blood banks are.”
We could build monuments to honour her, but this is more impactful; it saves lives,” she said.
She urged Ghanaians to dispel myths and superstitions surrounding blood donation and embrace the culture of giving.
“This is not spiritual or dangerous. No one is going to use your blood for anything else.
It’s a simple act of humanity, don’t wait until you or a loved one needs blood to understand how critical it is,” she said.
Blood
The blood that is donated will be ring-fenced by the National Blood Bank specifically for use by children with cancer, ensuring that families do not go through stressful donor replacement processes in critical moments.
“During her treatment, she needed three to four transfusions a week.
We saw firsthand how empty our blood banks are.”
We could build monuments to honour her, but this is more impactful; it saves lives,” she said.
She urged Ghanaians to dispel myths and superstitions surrounding blood donation and embrace the culture of giving.
“This is not spiritual or dangerous. No one is going to use your blood for anything else.
It’s a simple act of humanity, don’t wait until you or a loved one needs blood to understand how critical it is,” she said.
Blood
The blood that is donated will be ring-fenced by the National Blood Bank specifically for use by children with cancer, ensuring that families do not go through stressful donor replacement processes in critical moments.
