From Samuel James, Ilorin

In her stirring inaugural lecture delivered at the University of Ilorin recently, Professor Hannah Oluwayemisi Olawumi of the Department of Haematology has issued a passionate call to Nigerians in embracing voluntary blood donation as a civic and lifesaving duty.

The lecture titled “Heroes Without Capes: The Life-Saving Power of Blood Sacrifice”, spotlighted the pressing gaps in Nigeria’s blood supply system and the life-altering impact of just one pint of donated blood. “In every two seconds, someone somewhere needs blood to survive,” She emphasized, drawing from data that paints a stark reality on blood donations in not keeping pace with demand—particularly in Nigeria where only about 1% of donors are women and a vast majority of donors are single young adults aged 18 to 30.This demographic, Prof Oluwayemisi pointed out, is the most promising target for sustainable voluntary donation campaigns, despite the urgent need, as she revealed that myths and misinformation continue to suppress participation.She said fear of health complications; sexual impotence, HIV test results and even beliefs that blood may be used for rituals remain common among potential donors.In a particularly striking anecdote from her early medical career, she recounted a night on call at the Emergency Paediatric Ward. A critically ill 10-year-old boy with acute leukemia arrived at the hospital, his life hanging by a thread, and his survival depended on an emergency transfusion—and a single pint of donated blood saved his life.“The person who donated that pint may never know the life they saved, but that act is the very definition of heroism,” she said.Olawumi did not stop at the statistics, as she urged national health authorities to implement better policies, launch aggressive youth-focused campaigns, and engage institutions like the National Orientation Agency to dispel harmful myths.She also called for more inclusive and gender-sensitive strategies to boost female donor participation, the removal of discriminatory barriers in donor selection, and capacity-building programmes for hospital staff, especially those in blood banks.“We cannot afford to wait for a crisis before we act,” she warned. “Voluntary blood donors are the backbone of transfusion medicine. You may not wear a cape, but when you give blood, you give life.”Thus in conclusion of her lecture she emotionally appeals by invited everyone especially those who have never donated blood to take that first step. “One donation can save three lives. That’s more than a gift. That’s a legacy.”