In commemoration of World Blood Donor Day on the 14th June, the Sir Brian Bell Centre for Transfusion Medicine marked 20 years of blood donations as well as honour and appreciate donors who make blood transfusion possible. The event saw the presentation of certificates and merchandises to individual donors, to the Don Bosco Technical School and Port Moresby National School of Excellence and partners like Goodman Fielder and many more. Port Moresby General Hospital Director Medical Services Dr Kone Sobi, highlighted the importance of blood donation, the statistics overview in terms of blood donors over the years, the aims and objectives of blood bank and a call out to donors. “It is very encouraging to see our blood bank team who have been collecting blood in the various institutions." "We have a huge challenge, both the health institutions in the country, the public and the corporate organizations to drive the message." "We need more awareness given to the general public,” he stated. Dr Sobi made a call out to the general public encouraging more people to come forward to donate blood. Speaking on behalf of WHO was Mr. Asaeli Raikabakaba, the Technical Officer for Essential Medicines & Health Technologies who expressed appreciation to the organisers of World Blood Donor day. “Each year on 14th June, you celebrate this important day, using it as an opportunity to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for the life-saving gift of blood and raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure that all individuals and communities have timely access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products." "Voluntary donors are part of our community and considered to be the source of the safest blood and blood products for patients.” “Transfusions of blood and blood products saves lives." "This places donors in a unique position, demanding special respect and care." "Their commitment to regular donations depends on our efforts to ensure their safety and well-being.” He said that WHO has been at the forefront of the movement to improve global blood safety since 1975, as mandated by the World Health Assembly. Mr. Raikabakaba extended his deepest gratitude to the thousands of voluntary blood donors in PNG, who have positively impacted the health and well-being of countless individuals in the nation. PMGH Blood Transfusion Committee Chairman Dr Carl Kingston acknowledged and thanked the donors who have made time to donate blood. “On behalf of the committee and the Port Moresby General Hospital we want to say thank you to the donors who throughout the years have stood with us in providing the specialist services that this hospital envisions.” “We reflect over 20 years and applaud those amazing individuals, corporate entities, schools, churches, embassies, foreign missions, societies and even staff of Port Moresby General Hospital who have made time to donate blood,” he stated. He said that the committee is committed towards achieving its vision of creating a safe and sustainable blood supply to support the management and bringing better health closer to our people. Under the theme "20 Years of Celebrating Giving," the Sir Brian Bell Centre for Transfusion Medicine with the key deliver partner being the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, collaborated with several business houses to establish a mobile blood collection site at Vision City from June 10th to 14th collecting 100 bags of blood.