Commercial Bank hosts employee blood drive with HMC
28 October 2013
Doha, Qatar: In response to the shortage of blood supply in Qatar, Commercial Bank recently hosted a 1-day blood drive for the Bank’s employees in cooperation with Hamad Medical Center (HMC). Employees from various branches and departments volunteered to be blood donors at the make-shift blood donation camp that was set up at Commercial Bank’s headquarters and managed by the Blood Donation Unit of HMC.
Staff from the Blood Donation Unit of HMC were on hand all day to ensure that participating donors were carefully pre-screened to meet strict donors’ criteria in accordance with international blood donating standards. They also handed out educational brochures and leaflets to raise more awareness among Commercial Bank employees about the value of their life-saving gifts of blood. The HMC team assured staff participating in the blood drive that the donation process is very safe, and also monitored donors afterwards to ensure their safety.
Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, CEO of Commercial Bank, thanked employees who donated blood and said: “Your contribution has helped make a positive difference in the community and particularly in sustaining human life. Donating blood is a noble way to serve humanity and it touches the lives of many people, especially those who are in critical need of blood.”
He added, “Participating in such a life-saving community cause heightens our sense of social responsibility. We are proud to engage with HMC by hosting a blood drive for our employees, which reflects Commercial Bank’s strong community values, and promotes good health and well being in general in Qatar.”
HMC’s Blood Bank provides blood supply covering the needs of all governmental and private hospitals in Qatar. As there is no substitute for human blood, eligible donors are encouraged to give blood twice a year, which would greatly help in maintaining an adequate blood supply for the country. Eligible blood donors can safely donate blood 3-4 times a year; blood donation is safe and hygienic through the streamlined procedures of registration, donation and screening at HMC. The process of donating blood takes no more than 30 minutes.
Commercial Bank is committed to supporting social, educational and charitable activities aimed at reinforcing the importance of participating in such noble social causes while building a sense of citizenship, belonging and community responsibility.