In a major boost to voluntary blood donation, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) have mobilised 550 pints of blood during a two-day donation drive supported by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO).
Nigeria requires between 1.8 million and 2 million units of blood yearly but meets only about 25 to 30 per cent of demand, a gap that continues to threaten emergency care, sickle cell treatment and maternal health, where severe bleeding after childbirth remains a leading cause of death.
The 2026 exercise, held on February 6 and 7 in partnership with the Nigerian Red Cross Society Lagos Branch, recorded that 35 per cent of donors were first-timers, underscoring growing public confidence in voluntary blood donation.
The figure marks a steady rise in turnout over four years, from 98 donors in 2022 to 147 in 2023, 268 in 2024 and 341 in 2025, a performance that earned VCDF the Blood Donation Champion Award from LSBTS. With the latest exercise, total donations under the initiative have reached 1,404.
Organisers attributed the growth to sustained awareness campaigns, community engagement and targeted behaviour-change communication aimed at dispelling myths and religious concerns that previously discouraged donation.
Some donors shared personal motivations for
participating.
Vivian, a repeat donor, said increased awareness corrected earlier misconceptions that had kept her away from donating.
Noah said he chose to donate voluntarily after his wife survived severe blood loss during childbirth, describing the exercise as an opportunity to give back.
Ismail, a first-time donor, said proper guidance and care from health officials made the experience smooth and fulfilling.
Beyond blood drives, Sterling Oil, through its corporate social responsibility, has supported VCDF and other health organisations across its operational areas with medical outreach programmes and regular health camps, offering free consultations, medications and basic laboratory tests for common ailments such as hypertension, malaria, typhoid and skin infections.
Stakeholders said the 2026 campaign demonstrated the power of sustained advocacy in breaking barriers, strengthening community participation and building a reliable pool of voluntary donors for hospital emergencies.
Sterling Oil reaffirmed its commitment to responsible business practices, environmental stewardship and community wellbeing, noting that its CSR interventions will continue to support public health initiatives and social impact programmes aimed at promoting a healthier Nigeria.