20 March 2007

Under the patronage of H.H Hazza Bin Tahnoon  Bin Mohammad Al Nahayan the General Director of the Diwan of the Ruler's Representative for the Eastern Region, Tawam Hospital in affiliation with johns Hopkins medicine , one of the most prominent health care facilities in the UAE and the Gulf  held a press conference lunching  " A drop of blood = life" campaign .

The press conference hosted by Al Ain Rotana Hotel. was attended by Mr.Humaid Al Mansouri, the Director of the Eastern Medical District, Mr.Michael Heidel, the Tawam CEO, Mr.Jaber Obaid the Director of Abu Dhabi Channel and Emirates Radio Network (the main sponsor), Dr. Sharif Islam Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Department, at Tawam hospital, and Mr. Hamad Al Mulla chief of Tawam Blood Bank and Laboratories in the Eastern Medical Region.

Speaking at the press, Mr. Humaid Al mansouri, the Director of the Eastern Medical region, extended his thanks to H.H Sheikh Hazza Bin Tahnoon , the Director of the the Diwan of the Ruler's Representative for Eastern Region for lending his support to launch this campaign. Mr. Humaid also expressed his gratitude to all institutions which   sponsored the raising awareness campaign that aims at emphasizing the importance of blood donation as a humanitarian act and highlighting the vital role that could be played by every individual in saving lives. The demand for blood donation shall never stops, especially with the rising rate of road traffic accident and cancer victims. This urges concerted efforts made by all members of the community at all levels to collaborate.

Michael Heindel, the Tawam CEO, said;" today's launch of the blood donation campaign is a milestone for Tawam Hospital in Affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine.  The need for blood is universal and many people know of someone who has either needed a blood transfusion or required blood for other procedures, such as cancer treatment.  We seek to educate the groups and individuals about community responsibility and the critical need for voluntary blood donors.  We aim at raising awareness of the need for blood donation and encouraging all individuals to serve their community by participating in this humanitarian act of donating blood. A drop of blood could indeed save a life of a fellow citizen, who could be a friend, a relative or a neighbor.

Being a world-class oncology referral center, Tawam Hospital receives oncology patients from all over the Gulf region. This put extra demands for blood.

Mr. Heindel added: "This campaign will go on for two days, we have high hopes that it will succeed in mobilizing all sectors of the community to participate in voluntary blood donation, and to instill public consciousness of this noble cause. Further, I seize this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to those who spared no effort to make this event a success. Our profound gratitude and appreciation also go to the Emirate Radio Network for their responsiveness and enthusiasm in supporting the Hospital communicating its mission.

It is noteworthy, that in collaboration with governmental organizations, the Central Blood Bank in the Eastern Region organizes daily campaigns to collect blood from voluntary donors in an attempt to meet the domestic hospitals' need of blood.

-Ends- 

For more information please contact:
For Al Ain 
Rashid Al Saadi
Senior Public Relations Officer
Tawam Hospital
Tel: +971-3-7072160
Fax: +971-3-7075192
Mobile: +971506233234
E-mail: sharrasi@tawam-hosp.gov.ae 

For Dubai
Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications
Tel: +971 4 3988901
Fax: +971 4 3988941
Email: info@orientplanet.com
Website: www.orientplanet.com

© Press Release 2007