Seventeenth Blood Drive of the Holy Metropolis of Oropos and Phyle

With the blessing and encouragement of His Eminence, Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Fili, the seventeenth (17^th) Blood Drive of the Holy Metropolis took place at the Holy Convent of Saint Paraskevi (Acharnai Attica) on Saturday October 20^th/November 2^nd 2024. The blood drive was organized under the responsibility and initiative of the Association of Voluntary Blood Donors “The Crucified”, and in collaboration with the Nea Ionia General Hospital “Konstantopouleio” (formerly “Saint Olga”).

Considering that it has been more than a year since a blood drive was held, owing to sickness, the arrival of 35 volunteers, 14 of whom were new, and the collection of 24 units of blood was significant and gave us new impetus to continue our efforts. 

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We would like to remind everyone that the Holy Metropolis’ Blood Bank is open to anyone who needs it!

As such, we rely on the conscious efforts of our volunteer donors to to participate in our Blood Drives, as well as on the efforts of those who are unable to give blood to attract new volunteers, so that we may always have an adequate supply to meet the dozens of requests for blood we receive annually.

Donating platelets on a regular basis is just as important as donating blood.

“Platelets play an important role in blood clotting and protect against major bleeding. Platelet transfusions are used to treat patients with leukemia, aplastic anemia and other haematological disorders.” (Source: http://ekea.gr/platelet/).

For further information on blood and platelet donation, you can visit the official website of the National Center for Blood Donation (Ε.ΚΕ.Α., http://ekea.gr/ ).

The Association of Voluntary Blood Donors “The Crucified” also supports the very important work of the Association “Vision of Hope” – Bank of Volunteer Bone Marrow Donors (Children’s Oncological Unit “Marianna Vardinogianni - HOPE”, Children’s Hospital “Saint Sophia”), through our cooperation in past Blood Drives aimed at informing and registering our voluntary blood donors, and we look forward to having a representative from their Association at one of our future Blood Drives.

For further information regarding the “Vision of Hope” Association and the donation of Bone Marrow, you can visit the website www.oramaelpidas.gr.

Once again, we fervently thank the Reverend Mother Justina of the Holy Convent of Saint Paraskevi in Acharnai, the hospital’s medical team for their excellent cooperation, as well as those who contributed to a smooth running of the blood drive (members of the “Saint Philaret” Guild, the Holy Metropolis’ “Volunteers Association” et. al.).

And of course, we fervently thank all our blood donors who “did their part” once again and thus help to save the lives of strangers with their blood.

Finally, in light of our Association’s efforts to inform as many volunteers as possible how important it is for someone to become a blood donor who gives blood and platelets on a REGULAR BASIS, we would like to remind everyone that whoever is able to give blood can do so every 3-4 months by:

a. Giving blood at any time, at the nearest Hospital or Blood Donation Center anywhere in Greece,

b. Participating in one of our next organized Blood Drives (Winter-November, Spring-February, Summer-June). 

We look forward to seeing you at our next blood drive, which will take place on Saturday, March 8^th, 2025 (new style), at the Parish Center of the Holy Church the Holy Unmercenaries (Agion Anargyron), Elefsina (63 Aristeidou str.).

“Association of Voluntary Blood Donors

“† The Crucified”

● For further information, participations, queries, requests for blood, please contact the Saint Philaret the Merciful Guild’s Offices (210 24 12 162) or Mrs. Marianthe Pagoulatos-Toumpa (6972 45 66 82)