Ophir Loyola holds blood donation caravan themed "The guard that protects, now also saves"
The organization's expectation is that initiatives like this will serve as inspiration and mobilize even more people to become regular donors.
In a gesture of solidarity and commitment to life, the Ophir Loyola Hospital (HOL), a reference in oncological, nephrological treatment and transplants in the Northern region, held another edition of the Blood Donation Caravan this Thursday (8). The action, carried out in partnership with the Hemotherapy and Hematology Foundation of the State of Pará (Hemopa), had the theme "The guard that protects, now also saves" and mobilized hospital staff, outsourced workers, volunteers, comedians from the "Turma do Pão com Ovo" and students from the Technical and Professional Institute of Pará (ITEP), in a support chain for the patients of the hospital unit.
Each collected blood bag can serve up to 4 patients. Out of a total of 70 attendees, 48 bags were collected and can benefit up to 192 people. Donors who could not attend the event can go to the nearest blood center and inform the code 161, of the hospital.
The activity is part of a series of initiatives aimed at reinforcing the blood stocks of the Hemopa Foundation, responsible for supplying more than 200 health units in the state. In Pará, only 1.2% of the population is registered as blood donors, a number considered low given the transfusion needs of the hospital network. Actions such as caravans and donation incentive campaigns are strategic tools to reverse this scenario. In Belém, HOL performs about 1.2 million services per year, which reinforces the urgency of keeping blood stocks always replenished.
For biomedical professional Rodrigo Barros, coordinator of the Transfusion Agency of HOL, these initiatives are vital to ensure the blood stock (hemocomponents) for those in need, promoting health, solidarity, and citizen participation. "The hospital seeks to facilitate access for potential donors to donation, inform the population, and help maintain blood stocks at adequate levels to meet the demands of society. This has a direct effect on the treatment of our patients, because our service is the one that demands the most transfusions in the state and, consequently, the hospital with the highest supply of bags from the Hemopa Foundation," he emphasized.
The "Ophir Loyola" has an average of approximately 800 transfusions monthly. According to Barros, to reach the stock replenishment goal, the hospital unit needs to replace 50% of the stock supplied monthly by the blood center. "In this way, we contribute to keeping the stocks within the ideal range. Currently, our replenishment and collection indicator is at 24%, so the number of donor collections needs to be doubled to reach our goal. A team of collectors formed by professionals from events, psychology, social service, nursing, among others, is essential for the execution of this movement," he highlighted.
During the event, social worker Betânia Mourão, from the Donor Recruitment Management (Gecad) of Hemopa, highlighted the strategic importance of these mobilizations. "It is essential to partner with institutions from the state, municipality, private, public, and with all of society. The Hemopa Foundation is responsible for supplying more than 200 hospital units, and it is with strategic actions like this that we can maintain stocks and serve patients. Ophir Loyola, being a reference in oncological treatment, leads in blood requests. The engagement of the staff was essential for the realization of this great caravan," she stated.
This Thursday's action highlighted the role of the Guard of Our Lady of Nazareth of the hospital, which had significant participation. According to Douglas Rodrigues, one of the coordinators of the guard, a total of 50 donors attended in the morning, but only 37 were eligible to donate. "This Thursday's caravan is another example of how the union of efforts between public institutions and civil society can transform realities and save lives."
Administrative agent Bruna Araújo, 40, who has been working in the Human Resources department of HOL for three years, shared her emotion in participating for the first time in a collective donation action with the group. "What motivated me was to help people. I believe that our life is about doing good without looking at whom. I have been a donor for some time, but this is the first time I participate in an action like this with the Guard, and it has been incredible for me. There are no words. Doing good, helping those in need... I am really very happy to be here donating blood and being able to contribute to the lives of other people."
The mobilization also received support from educational institutions. Nurse Nayara Chaves, from the Technical and Professional Institute of Pará (ITEP), who also works at HOL, brought dozens of health students to the campaign. "I brought 43 students to the action. What motivated me was precisely the issue of health promotion. Students in this area need to understand how important these actions are, not only for those in health but for all of society. A single donation can impact up to four lives," she emphasized.
