Eight blood transfusion centres, renovated on nearly 350,000 Euro

Eight blood transfusion centres that provide for one third of blood donors in Romania have been renovated on nearly 350,000 euros, project initiators said this week.

2015-08-06 17:05:35

The money was raised under a project called "A Chance for Life," which tries to encourage blood donation as well as the renovation of transfusion centres and which was conducted by the Vodafone Romania Foundation and the React Association.

In all, 15,145 square metres of blood transfusion centres in Bucharest, Buzau, Cluj-Napoca, Giurgiu, Iasi, Slatina, Suceava and Targu Jiu were renovated. There are more than 127,000 blood donors that will use the renovated centres each year.

Under the renovation project, 30 collection chairs were purchased, along with an air conditioning device for the blood laboratory, four centrifuges, two blood collection mixers, six coolers and freezers for blood storage. Likewise, new pieces of furniture were purchased for four of the eight centres. React Association Chair Anca Stefan, says that under the "A Chance for Life," project, React has managed to make more than 145,000 people donate blood.

"These are important transfusion centres that cater for four Romanian hospitals for which renovation was long overdue," she said. Stefan also underscored the importance of the existence of dedicated donors. "It is very important for us to have a transfusion system based on loyal donors that give blood every three months, so that the donated blood may be as safe as possible," she said.

React Association Honorary Chair Irina Margareta Nistor said the donors have blue blood. "What they do is a noble gesture," she said. Vodafone Foundation Director Angela Galeta estimated that funds of 640,000 euros have been raised under the "A Chance for Life," campaign since its inception seven years ago.

She mentioned that the foundation opens a new round of funding for social services, education and healthcare projects. Applications have to be uploaded on the web site of the foundation at a section dedicated to the projects by August 28.