Dubai Health campaign attracts over 43,000 blood donors

Dubai: Dubai Health has announced strong participation in the “My Blood, for My Country” campaign, which attracted 43,263 donors from across the community. The increase in participation follows the call by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management and Vice Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors, urging individuals and organisations to support the initiative. The announcement coincided with World Blood Donor Day, observed annually on 14 June under the theme “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.” Organised in partnership with Al Ameen Service, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Health and 'Emarat Al Youm' newspaper, the campaign aims to secure essential blood supplies for patients and support the Thalassemia Centre while promoting a culture of giving. Strong community engagement Dubai Health revealed that 39.5 percent of donors participated for the first time. The campaign brought together donors from 145 nationalities and resulted in the collection of 47,714 units of blood through 547 donation drives, including 89 organised with government entities. Dr Hiba Alhumaidan, Consultant and Chair of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Dubai Health, said the leadership’s support played a significant role in expanding participation across institutions and the wider community. She noted that 17,093 individuals donated blood for the first time, while young donors contributed 15,126 donations, reflecting growing awareness and engagement among younger age groups. Growing participation over time Since its launch in 2012, the campaign has witnessed steady growth. In 2025, the number of donors reached 79,112 compared to 418 donors in its first year. The number of government entities involved in organising donation drives increased to 137 in 2025, compared with just three at the campaign’s inception. Youth participation has also shown consistent growth, rising to approximately 41 percent in 2025, highlighting the campaign’s success in engaging younger segments of society. Promoting a culture of giving The campaign seeks to raise awareness about blood donation as a humanitarian and national responsibility, encouraging individuals, particularly those aged 18 to 30, to contribute regularly. It also focuses on expanding the donor database, especially by attracting individuals with rare blood types, and strengthening collaboration with government entities to organise donation drives. Dubai Health emphasised that the initiative continues to play a key role in supporting healthcare services and ensuring readiness to meet patient needs, while reinforcing values of solidarity and social responsibility within the community.