Thread by @AVONHMO

A day before concluding my NYSC programme, a building in Ita Faji, Lagos Island collapsed. A blood drive was coordinated by @LifeBankNigeria to help the victims and a good number of clinics/hospitals were identified as centres to donate.

#AvonBloodHeroes
#SafeBloodSavesLives

I and a good number of friends showed up at Island Hospital to give our bit to the cause but during the tests, I was told by the nurse that I would not be able to donate because I was anaemic. Imagine my shock.
#AvonBloodHeroes
#SafeBloodSavesLives

Every month, I go through excruciating pain that makes it feel like my essence was leaving me all in the name of menstruation. How is this even possible?

Anaemia, this is the condition that stopped me from saving someone with my blood.

#AvonBloodHeroes
#SafeBloodSavesLives

This condition I once thought came in handy and was a good excuse to avoid tedious activities while at the NYSC orientation camp, now deterred me from contributing to something that mattered.

#AvonBloodHeroes
#SafeBloodSavesLives

I had just gotten back from a funeral and was willing to assist to avoid another loss of life but my blood count wasn’t having it. Anaemia decided that wasn’t the day to be useful. I cried a lot on my way back from the hospital that day.

#AvonBloodHeroes
#SafeBloodSavesLives

However, with those tears came a new determination. Now, I am a lot more deliberate about maintaining a high blood count so I can be able to save a life when needed

- Sonia.

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#SafeBloodSavesLives

We decided to round up our #AvonBloodHeroes series by recognising the fact that not everyone who wants to donate blood can do so.
#SafeBloodSavesLives

It's especially difficult for women and others to be blood donors because they don't even have enough and for those who have made an effort only to be disappointed, we applaud you for making the move.

#AvonBloodHeroes
#SafeBloodSavesLives