The UAE Space Agency has organised a campaign for its staff and employees throughout the national space sector to donate blood, organised in cooperation with the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City blood bank. More than 60 donations have been made so far.

The campaign comes as blood banks around the country called for donors, especially during the summer months, with a 20 to 30 percent decline in donations reported by the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank.

The blood drive was organised at the Dusit Thani Hotel Abu Dhabi in response to the declaration of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan making 2017 the #Year of Giving in the UAE.

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said, "The UAE is globally renowned for its selfless and humanitarian actions. This gesture, which is just one of many that we at the Space Agency are carrying out during the Year of Giving, is a small but important part in our longstanding national tradition of generosity, selflessness and social responsibility."

Al Falasi continued, "The agency’s organisation of this blood donation campaign represents our commitment to social responsibility and, as a federal body, is in line with our humanitarian role. The campaign was held in cooperation with the relevant authorities in order to provide blood to patients when and where it is needed."

He also pointed out that such events help to raise awareness about the importance of donating blood, as well as the health benefits for donors.

Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, said that the blood drive is an excellent opportunity to highlight the spirit of humanitarianism within the Space Agency and the UAE more generally. He also noted the level of cooperation among national space sector bodies, particularly since such collaboration is an essential feature of the sector and industry.