The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Edo State, in partnership with the Florish Foundation for Women and Youths, on Friday mobilized corps members for a voluntary blood donation exercise in Benin City.
The drive, held at the Military Hospital to mark World Blood Donor Day, aimed to support sickle cell patients and strengthen emergency care across the state.
About 100 corps members donated blood, alongside medical partners including the National Blood Service Agency and Bright Path Development Hub.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, Edo State Coordinator of NYSC, said the initiative was driven by the urgent need to assist individuals living with sickle cell disorder. She was represented by Mrs. Funmilayo Oluwatoyin, NYSC’s Assistant Director of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme.
“Access to safe blood remains a matter of life and survival for many. Today’s blood donation drive is not just a health intervention; it is an act of humanity, compassion, and national service. Our corps members have shown once again that service to humanity remains the foundation of NYSC,” she said.
Dr. Ben-Ushie also expressed gratitude to all supporting organizations, describing their collaboration as “a noble contribution to saving lives.”
In her remarks, Brig.-Gen. Paulina Aburime, Commander of the Military Hospital, commended the corps members and organizers, stressing that increased public awareness on blood donation could save countless lives.
“Pregnant women and emergency surgery patients often lose their lives due to a lack of available blood. Blood donation is something we must continue to encourage,” she said.
Omotayo Adesuyi, representing Ben-Ushie and founder of the Florish Foundation for Women and Youths, highlighted the life-saving impact of voluntary blood donation.
“Each pint of blood collected could mean the difference between life and death for a child with sickle cell disorder, a mother in childbirth, or an accident victim. Every donor here today is a quiet hero,” she said.
Dr. Ikejiofor Prudence, serving with the Military Hospital and initiator of the drive, explained that the effort arose from the critical need for timely blood supply.
“When a patient urgently needs a transfusion and blood is unavailable, even the most skilled doctor can do very little. In those moments, the true lifesaver is the person who donates blood,” she said.
