At Hospital Octávio Lobo, blood donation campaign reinforces solidarity in the treatment of children with cancer
In partnership with the Hemopa Foundation and the Public Defender's Office of the State, the action raised awareness among donors about the importance of the resource for users of the health unit in Pará
On this Friday (25), volunteers attended the Octávio Lobo Children's Oncology Hospital (Hoiol) in Belém to participate in yet another blood donation campaign of the unit. The action, promoted in partnership with the Hemotherapy and Hematology Center Foundation of Pará (Hemopa) and the Public Defender's Office of the State of Pará (DPE-PA), collected 79 bags, which can benefit up to 316 people.
As a High Complexity Unit in Oncology, Hoiol is a reference in the Amazon region for the diagnosis and specialized treatment of childhood and adolescent cancer, in the age group between 0 to 19 years. In the unit, managed by the Institute Diretrizes (ID), under a management contract with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa), 968 patients are in treatment and 1313 are under follow-up. They are children and adolescents from the 144 municipalities of Pará and neighboring states.
“It is a source of pride for all of us to have the partnership of the Hemopa Foundation, the Public Defender's Office of the State, and so many volunteers in yet another blood donation campaign at the Children's Oncology Hospital. Ensuring the necessary transfusion support for patients is a collective commitment. Therefore, we spare no effort to mobilize, raise awareness, and sensitize as many people as possible with each edition,” said the unit's general director, Sara Castro.
Social worker Camila Medina, from the Donor Recruitment Management of the Hemopa Foundation, reiterates that the campaigns, carried out in partnership with various institutions, encourage both one-time donations and contribute to the convergence of volunteers into recurring donors.
“The programming of Hoiol is always impeccable. The attractions mobilize the public and help us in the socialization of information, which is important for the effectiveness of the actions. We sensitize donors to also be regular and help us meet the growing demand for blood. Therefore, in Brazil, it is recommended that men donate blood every 60 days, and women every 90 days,” said Camila.
A collaborator of the unit, quality analyst Jade Durans is a regular donor and praised the structure set up in front of the institution. “The Hemopa team is always very attentive. In addition, I really liked the partnership with the Public Defender's Office and took the opportunity to issue my ID and also to donate. After all, donating is a simple and concrete way to save lives,” she said.
Partnership - The Hoiol campaign had the participation of the DPE-PA for the first time, through the Rights Counter program. According to Luiz Farias, coordinator of the program's actions, the initiative has been fundamental in expanding the population's access to essential services, such as issuing ID, CPF, work card, updating voter registration, and legal guidance.
In addition to serving patients, companions, and collaborators of the unit, the services also benefited passersby who were sensitized by the campaign. “It is an important action that unites citizenship and solidarity. The Public Defender's Office of the State is always available to contribute to initiatives like this,” said Farias, highlighting that the issuance of general registration was the most sought-after service in the provided services.
Demand - The biomedical of the transfusion agency of Hoiol, Matheus Bernardes, explains that the unit performs, on average, 400 transfusions of blood components per month, considering concentrated red blood cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma, and cryoprecipitate. “This consumption is directly related to the high transfusion demand of pediatric oncology patients, who often require multiple transfusions throughout treatment, especially during periods of intense chemotherapy. This treatment causes bone marrow suppression, resulting in anemia and thrombocytopenia, which requires frequent and careful transfusions,” he emphasized.
Patient Ingrid Pinheiro, 5 years old, was diagnosed with leukemia just over a year ago and has already needed hemotherapy support. The girl's mother, housewife Márcia Silviani, emphasizes that donations are essential for her daughter's treatment and that of other children. “It is moving to see unknown people mobilizing and donating. It is what we understand as solidarity. Ingrid has already needed transfusions, and it was thanks to these donors that my daughter is doing well,” said the 28-year-old from Bragança, who, although unable to donate blood, encourages friends and family to go to Hemopa.
Fever, headache, weakness, and recurring nausea were some of the symptoms that led 28-year-old Sandra Macedo from Barcarena to take her daughter Sandy, 11 years old, to the doctor. The diagnosis of leukemia came along with the need for transfusions, which mobilized the girl's family. “She needed several transfusions, and I thank every person who donated and continues to donate, as they are still helping in her treatment,” said the support professional for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
In light of the gratitude expressed by the mother, Sandy shares her experience about the fear of needles and encourages others to overcome their “fears” for those in need of blood. “You don't need to be afraid to donate, just want to and think about the good you are doing. I am afraid of needles, but for the treatment, I face it. I close my eyes and think of the cure,” concluded the girl.
Animation - In support of actions that ensure hemotherapy and hematological coverage in Pará, groups of artists and volunteers reinforced the programming of Hoiol's first blood donation campaign of 2025. They were: Banda Halley, Banda Café Preto, Keiziane Carvalho, Mateus Duarte, Lucy, Santa Casa Choir, DJ Ruano, Lagoinha Music Belém, Potentes do Brega, Fafa Maniva, Us Carapanãs, and Paulo Kamelo. Also present were: Tio Bala, Unimed Belém's Sorria Group, and the Lobo Mau, mascot of Paysandu, who raised the bicolor crowd present.
Service: Those who could not attend Hoiol during the campaign can still contribute. Just go to any Hemopa collection point and inform the code: 1766. Blood donation is a quick, safe, and essential process to save lives. To donate, you must be between 16 and 69 years old, weigh more than 50 kg, be in good health, and well-fed. It is mandatory to present an official photo ID, and in the case of minors under 18, they must be accompanied by a legal guardian. More information can be obtained at Hemopa service units or through the Foundation's official channels.
Text: Ellyson Ramos - Ascom Hoiol
