RIYADH: King Saud University (KSU) organized the largest blood donation drive ever to help people in need especially during Haj, while marking national day celebrations.

The blood camp was organized by the King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) in the Preparatory Year Deanship (PYD) building in cooperation with KSUMC Blood Bank and the deanship. The event was attended by university staff including Abdulrahman Al-Muammar, KSUMC chief executive officer, and Nami Al-Jehani, PYD dean.

Speaking on the occasion Al-Muammar said that blood donation is beneficial in many ways including activation of blood circulation and stimulation of bone marrow to produce various types of blood cells after donation.

He said blood donation also reduces the risk of heart disease and arterial clots by lowering the level of iron in the blood.

He further said that donors were checked prior to donation for blood-transmitted diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and malaria.

Al-Jehani came forward to be the first to donate blood.

He stressed that this deed is a religious and national duty toward the community and is part of institutional integration among the country’s varied sectors.

He pointed out that the campaign aims to encourage students’ engagement in humanitarian work and strengthen the value of altruism in the community.

The PYD dean maintained that such campaigns save lives through supporting blood banks and hospitals in Riyadh and the holy sites, especially during the Haj season when the need for blood units is higher.

Faculty members, non-teaching staff and students donated blood.