Residents in Nakuru chose to mark Valentine’s Day by donating blood at Maasai market in the city center.

The event was a collaboration among the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority, the County Government of Nakuru, and the Nakuru Rotary club.

Ms. Irene Orgut the Head of the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre in Nakuru said the program will run from 9 am to 4 pm and they welcome locals to come and donate blood.

“Our slogan of the day is, ‘Give the gift of life by donating blood,” said Orgut.

Volunteers register to donate blood at Masai Market in Nakuru CBD on February 14, 2023

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA| NMG

Daniel Ongeri, a resident of Whitehouse Nakuru said he came to donate blood because of the shortage of blood being experienced in the country, and being valentines, he decided to share some love by donating blood.

The 33-year-old appealed to residents to come out in numbers to donate much-needed blood in our health centers.

“Being my first time donating, the experience was very nice and the staff was really welcoming. From now on I plan to consistently donate blood at an interval of three months going forward,” said Ongeri.

Daniel Ongeri after donating blood at Maasai Market on February 14, 2023

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA| NMG

Sharon Wanjiru, who learnt of the event through Red Cross said she purposed to make her first donation on Valentine's Day to help save lives. She termed blood donation as a good gesture to help Kenyans in need of blood.

“I had to overcome my fear of needles, but since I was told I had excess blood, I chose to come here today to make a donation. The process doesn’t take long so we can have people spare just 10 minutes of their time and support this noble course,” she said.

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Residents Mark Valentine's Day Through Blood Donation

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