BULGARIA

The Bulgarian Red Cross celebrated World Blood Donor Day in 2006 with the slogan “Blood is a gift for life. Thank you”. A number of celebrations took place around the country, with the official ceremony being held on 14 June at the Bulgarian Red Cross’s national headquarters in . At the event, 10 blood donors were presented with awards, and a number of people who have had an impact on blood donation at the national level were honoured. All the persons awarded were selected by a special commission composed of representatives from the Ministry of Health, Bulgarian Red Cross and the National Centre for Haematology and Transfusiology. Nominations for awards came from the regions.

The honoured blood donors came from the towns of , Vidin, and . A personal award was presented to the mayor of the town of Varna, both a blood donor and a staunch worker in the cause of voluntary blood donation. Other people awarded included the President of the Association of Parents of blood recipients, and a 27-year old from Sliven, who has given blood 25 times on a voluntary basis. A memorial statuette and certificate were awarded to all.

Guests of the event were representatives from government institutions: the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence, National Centre for Haematology and Transfusiology, Union of Bulgarian physicians, Red Cross volunteers, the media ministers, members of the National Assembly, sports personalities, and so on. Among the guests were blood recipients with a long history of needing blood. During the awarding ceremony they expressed their personal gratitude to the voluntary blood donors.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives from health institutions, such as hospitals with the greatest consumption of blood and blood products, aiming in this way to reaffirm the principle of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation among the general public.

The event was also the occasion for the launch of newly-edited Bulgarian Red Cross book “Transport of life”, which is dedicated to children and adolescents.

Contact:

Dr. Chavdar Yankulov M.D. Bulgarian Red Cross [email protected]