"Weekends of Life": New Voluntary Blood Donation Days by "The Smile of the Child" in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the valuable support of Teleperformance Greece

"The Smile of the Child” announces a new cycle of voluntary blood donation actions on the occasion of today's World Health Day, aiming at the immediate support of children and adults in need of blood. The "Weekends of Life" will run in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with the valuable cooperation of “Teleperformance Greece”, the leading telephone & internet support and customer care company in Greece. (global leader in providing exceptional omnichannel customer experiences)

The World Health Day, which is celebrated every year on April 7th, was established by the World Health Organization to draw attention to critical health issues. The unprecedented health crisis has brought to surface the obvious need to preserve the supreme good of Health, the supreme good of Life.

Taking into account the critical shortages in blood reserves of the National Health System due to the Covid-19 pandemic, "The Smile of the Child" intensifies its existing actions on voluntary blood donation. According to data provided by the National Blood Donation Center (EKEA), blood donations have dropped from 1.500 to 800 per day. Given this severe decline of blood donations and recognizing the need for their direct urgent reinforcement, the Organization joins forces with “Teleperformance Greece”. The leading technology company, consistent to its social contribution, provides substantial support to "The Smile of the Child" in this regard.

In this context, we begin with 8 two–day voluntary blood donation program with more locations to follow that will take place in municipalities of the regional units of the southern sector of Athens & Piraeus, as well as in Thessaloniki & Crete, between April and June 2021.

The actions will be implemented at "Odysseas" (“Ulysses”), the first Mobile Information, Education & Technology Laboratory of “The smile of the Child", adhering to all prescribed coronavirus health protocols, as defined by the National Blood Donation Center (EKEA), with extra caution to ensure smooth and safe conduct.

The President of “The smile of the Child", Mr. Costas Yannopoulos stated;
"The pandemic crisis highlighted what we already knew; our health is the most valuable commodity. In defence of Public Health, blood supply is vital and constitutes a duty for all of us, as thousands of our fellow human beings need blood every day, many of them urgently because their lives are threatened. Right from the outbreak of the pandemic "The Smile of the Child" joined forces with the institutions and the competent bodies, also by conducting voluntary blood donation actions. We are pleased to commemorate this year's World Health Day in the best possible way, as we announce a new cycle of blood donations with the valuable contribution of “Teleperformance Greece”, which has always been at our side. We believe that this initiative is yet another important step in our enormous efforts to ensure high levels of blood reserves in our country at this critical time. Equally important is the dissemination of the message that voluntary blood donation is a genuine act of solidarity and altruism".

Starting on 17 & 18 April 2021, the “Weekends of Life” will be open to public in municipalities of the regional units of the southern sector of Athens & Piraeus, as well as in Thessaloniki and Crete.

Those interested, who wish to assist as volunteer blood donors, may be informed about the points, dates and fill in the online form here or call 11040 (civil charge from landline and mobile) to schedule their appointment, to avoid overcrowding in the process.

All health and safety protocols that take COVID-19 into consideration are strictly followed. Below we outline some of the key measures;  

• Appointments in order to avoid overcrowding, which are agreed via telephone or by filling in an electronic form
• Temperature assessment and hand sanitizing station at the entrance
• Provision of personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, antiseptic) for the staff and volunteer blood donors who will participate
• Disinfection of blood donation chairs
• Distance between blood drawing chairs, and throughout the space

According to gov.gr it is now official that from Saturday, November 14, movements of individuals to donate blood are permitted, either by confirming exceptional movement and selecting the code B1, or by sending SMS with code 1 to 13033. In addition, certificates will be granted to volunteers at the end of each blood donation.

Volunteers are kindly requested to hold their ID, as well as their Social Security Number.

The concentration of blood units will be carried out in compliance with strict safety and hygiene rules in “Odysseas” (“Ulysses”) the first Mobile Information, Education & Technology Laboratory of “The Smile of the Child".