The São João Blood Bank launched a new awareness campaign on Wednesday, August 20, aimed at promoting regular blood donations and attracting new donors.
The campaign also aims to reinforce that this simple gesture “can save the lives of those who require transfusions, especially due to surgeries, cancer, or accidents.”
The campaign, titled “Friends for Life,” involves several pairs of friends, public figures, anonymous citizens, healthcare professionals, athletes, firefighters, and university students, encouraging the public to regularly donate blood. The clear message is “We donate blood together. We save lives together.”
More than 60 “heroes” are participating in the campaign, including well-known personalities such as television host Jorge Gabriel, writer Mariana Jones, digital content creator Mariana Machado paired with Father Antonino de Sousa, actor Pedro Lamares, and musician Miguel Araújo. FC Porto players Samu and Rodrigo Mora, writer and illustrator Clara Não, and musician Miguel Correia are also involved.
“Blood donation is an act of friendship”
“The campaign aims to remind people that blood donation is an act of friendship and a commitment to life. By donating blood, we become friends with people we may never meet, but to whom we give the chance to live,” explained Sofia Maia Teixeira, a doctor at the São João Blood Bank.
The three municipalities that form the Local Health Unit São João (Porto, Maia, and Valongo) are joining this unprecedented campaign, which can be seen in various points across these municipalities.
The São João Blood Bank is open every day, including weekends and holidays. For more information, you can visit the official ULS São João website or download the MySãoJoão app.
It is noteworthy that a single blood donation can save up to three lives, as the blood is separated into components such as red blood cells, plasma, and platelets, which can be used for different patients.
