Abu Dhabi, June 12th, 2007 (WAM)--- on 14 June 2007 The Abu Dhabi BloodBank (ADBB), which operates under the direction of the Sheikh KhalifaMedical City (SKMC), is participating in "World Blood Donor Day 2007".

World Blood Donor Day is an international health awareness event celebratedannually on the 14th of June.

The ADBB will adopt the slogan ''SAFE BLOOD FOR SAFE MOTHERHOOD" forthis year highlighting how voluntary blood donors can play a vital rolein saving the lives of thousands of mothers and their newborns.

On the occasion of the World Blood Donor Day 2007, the ADBB will holdthe following activities:**Setting-up a Health Awareness Booth at the ADBB building on the 14thof June 2007 from 08:00 am till 08:00 pm. The ADBB building is locatedat Al Manhal Street - in front of Abu Baker Mosque. The medical staffat the educational booth will perform free tests for hemoglobin, bloodpressure, and blood type. Moreover, educational materials and gifts willbe distributed to visitors during the campaign. The health awareness boothwill be inaugurated by Jay Cooper, Deputy CEO and Chief FinancialOfficer of SKMC with the presence of members of SKMC Senior ManagementTeam. Moreover, among the invitees to the educational booth are SKMC patientswho require blood transfusions constantly such as Thalassemic patientsas well as the patients' families.

** Educational brochures, leaflets, and posters will be distributed todifferent organizations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

After the celebration of the World Blood Donor Day, the ADBB will launcha Blood Donation Campaign in Sas Al Nakheel Island scheduled as the follows:1.GASCO: 17 June 20072.ADNOC Distribution: 18 June 20073.Arabian Power Company 19 June 20074.Special Operation Group 20 June 20075.Abu Dhabi Refinery Company 21 June 20076.Sas Al Nakheel Police Station. 24 June 20077.Contractor Companies 25 June 2007Dr. Naima Oumeziane, Acting Clinical Director of the ADBB, stated that"this year we do not only want to thank the donors who gave blood in previousyears and recently but on this occasion we want to raise the awarenessabout continuously donating blood and to encourage friends and familyto donate blood in an effort to save lives. The act of blood donationis unique, and blood donors are special people. Our volunteers providenearly all the nation's blood supply for transfusion.

"There is no substitute for human blood and on behalf of the ADBB we wantto acknowledge the blood donors who are helping their fellow human beingsand giving the gift of life. If all eligible donors give blood twice peryear, it would greatly help in maintaining an adequate blood supply forthe country. Eligible blood donors can donate blood 3-4 times per yearsafely".

Dr. Oumeziane added that "setting our educational booth at the ADBB buildingitself would help to encourage blood donation on the spot. Also, it wouldbe convenient for those who really desire to donate blood. It is our responsibilityto meet the needs of our patients and to provide our donors the most convenientservices and care".

She further commented "During year 2006, the ADBB collected 17,000 unitsof blood and 500 units of Apheresis Platelets. Moreover, 5,000 units ofblood and 186 units of Apheresis Platelets were collected in the firstquarter of year 2007. UAE Nationals which represent 14.5 % of all donorsare the largest number of donators amongst the many different nationalitiesthat give blood each year".

Dr. Oumeziane announced that on the 1st of May 2007, the new Blood DonorBus was licensed and on the Road. It is a fully equipped bus with 4 beds,a blood testing room, and a doctor room for the medical exam. This busis used for blood donation campaigns held on regular basis especiallyfor other organizations. Therefore, we encourage all the organizations,ministries, universities, and authorities to contact us to organize blooddonation drives. We will come to where you are!The ADBB provides blood supply that covers the needs of governmental andprivate hospitals in Abu Dhabi and provides support to other Emirates.

Blood transfusions are often needed for trauma victims due to accidents,burns, heart surgery, organ transplants, and patients receiving treatmentfor leukemia, cancer or other diseases such as Sickle Cell and Thalassemia.

The Mobile Blood Bank reaches out to the community by going to organizations,public venues, universities and other areas in the community to promoteblood drives.