World Blood Donor Day: Pro-government and opposition forces give blood in Armenia (video)
Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. Pro-government and opposition MPs today participated in this year’s campaign and voluntary blood donations. Margarita Yesayan was among the first lawmakers to give blood. “We are in a state of semi-war and it is important that each of us has some contribution, even by donating blood. Still in the 1990s when we were at war, we heard that a certain hospital needed blood for wounded soldiers. My family went to that hospital because I have the most common blood type while my husband has a negative blood type which is rare. There were soldiers who needed negative blood donors,” the Republican lawmaker said to A1+. “We are not passive, our participation is enough but I think we should activate it. They say the most unpleasant moment is when they prick your finger to take blood. Generally, all minor prickles are unpleasant also from the political point of view,” said Vahram Baghdasaryan, the head of the parliamentary group of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Smbat Daghbashyan, Director of R.O. Yolyan Hematology Center, focuses on a set of requirements for blood donors, but singles out the most important. “Donors must be at least 17-years-old to donate blood, kind and devoted people,” he said. The contradiction between the opposition and pro-government forces was apparent even during the blood donation, though they told jokes all the time. “Karen Avagyan will give two liters of blood, he has promised,” said Naira Zohrabyan from the opposition Tsarukyan alliance. “It is your personal opinion?” asked Avagyan. “Yes, we have not discussed the issue in the faction yet,” Zohrabyan said in reply. “Blood brings people closer, let us make peace,” said Smbat Daghbashyan. Speaker of the National Assembly Ara Babloyan and head of Yelk bloc's parliamentary faction Nikol Pashinyan showed up simultaneously. “I gave blood during the war or for a patient but I do not donate very often,” said Ara Babloyan. “I have a positive blood type but I cannot say whether it is demanded or not. I am not a specialist,” said Nikol Pashinyan. The most active donors, including lawmakers and journalists, received medals and diplomas. The blood donation in the National Assembly lasted three hours.
